701From Thomas Jefferson to Mézières, 27 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson a l’honneur de faire passer à Monsieur le Chevalier de Mezieres la reponse qu’il vient de recevoir de Messieurs les delegués de Georgie au Congrès à la lettre qu’il leur avoit ecrit, les priant de s’interresser auprès de l’Assemblée de Georgie pour M. le Chevalier de Mezieres. Il a l’honneur de lui presenter ses compliments. PrC ( ViWC ); endorsed. Enclosure: Georgia...
702From Thomas Jefferson to J. F. Frin & Cie., 15 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
La lettre que vous me faites l’honneur de m’écrire est la premiere et la seule information que j’ai jamais reçu au sujet de la demande de 4000₶. de la part de Monsieur Dechesaut de Norvege. Sans doute que ce Monsieur est fondé d’en faire la demande quelque part: mais pour que ce soit à moi, il faudroit que je sache pour quelle service, et par quelle ordre. Je n’en ai jamais donné aucune, et je...
703From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Champion, 16 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of the letter you were so kind as to write me, I wrote to M. Limozin to make enquiry for the box of plants which was the subject of the letter with which I troubled you. He called on Capt. Sionville of the packet the Courier de l’Europe, who informed him he did bring such a box of plants, that having forgot from whom he received them and for whom they were intended, and there being,...
704From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Walker, 25 September 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed are part of some papers I wrote in answer to certain queries sent me by Monsr. de Marbois in 1781. Another foreigner of my acquaintance, now beyond the water, having asked a copy of them, I undertook to revise and correct them in some degree. There are still a great number of facts defective and some probably not to be depended on. Knowing nobody so able as yourself to set me...
705From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th. inst. by Colo. Harrison. The subject of it is interesting, and, so far as you have stood connected with it, has been matter of anxiety to me: because whatever may be the ultimate fate of the institution of the Cincinnati, as in it’s course it draws to it some degree of disapprobation, I have wished to see you stand on ground separated from it; and that the...
706From Thomas Jefferson to Vanet, 13 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson prie Monsieur Vannet de vouloir bien se charger de la lettre ci-incluse, et, quand il sera arrivé á Richmond, de la faire passer à Monsieur Bannister a Petersbourg. Il y a la dedans une procuration qui est trés interessante à la personne qui l’adresse à Monsieur Bannister. Il a l’honneur de souhaiter la bonne voiage á Monsieur Vannet. PrC ( DLC ). Not recorded in SJL Index....
707From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 12 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letters I had the honour of addressing you from this place were of the 2d. and 27. of January. Those from London were of the 12th. of March and 23. of April. In the month of February the Baron de Blome, minister plenipotentiary at this court from Denmark informed me that he was instructed by his court to take notice to the Ministers from the U.S. appointed to negotiate a treaty of...
708From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Paradise Barziza, 8 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of March 15. which you did me the honor to address me, came during my absence on a journey through Holland and Germany, and my first attentions after my return were necessarily called to some objects of business of too pressing a nature to be postponed. This has prevented my acknoleging, so soon as I could have wished, the honour of receiving your letter. The welcome reception which...
709From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Monsieur de Warville, is already known to you by his writings, some of which I have heretofore sent you, and particularly his work sur la France et les etats unis. I am happy to be able to present him to you in person, assured that you will find him in all his dispositions equally estimable as for his genius. I need only to ask your acquaintance for him. That will dispose...
710From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 20 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to write to you on the 3d. 10th. and 11th. instant with a postscript of the 12th. all of which went by Mrs. Barclay. Since that date we receive an account of a third victory obtained by the Russians over the Turks on the Black sea, in which the Prince of Nassau with his gallies destroyed 2 frigates, 3 smaller vessels, and 6. gallies. The Turkish power on that sea is represented...
711From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 21 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour of inclosing to your Excellency a report of the voiage of an American ship, the first which has gone to China. The circumstance which induces Congress to direct this communication is the very friendly conduct of the Consul of his Majesty at Macao, and of the Commanders and other officers of the French vessels in those seas. It has been with singular satisfaction that Congress...
712From Thomas Jefferson to Madame Townsend, 6 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My esteem, Madam, for Commodore Jones, as well as your personal merit, make it my wish to be useful to you; and will ensure any aid which my situation permits in the execution of the plan you do me the honour to tell me you have formed. That you may not however over-value my opportunities of serving you, it is my duty to observe, that as sollicitations at court are probably what are most...
713[From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, ca. 1 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ New York, ca. 1 June 1784 . Entry in SJL under “June” reads: “Jas. Madison. Inclosed Deane’s letters.” Neither letter nor enclosure has been found, but TJ must have written about 1 June from New York where he arrived on 30 May and from which he departed on 5 June 1784 (Dumbauld, Jefferson, American Tourist , 58). He had endeavored without success to obtain a copy of “Deane’s letters” in...
714From Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 1 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 10th. of October, and having received no answer to my letter, I presume it must have miscarried and therefore send you a copy of it on the adjoining leaf. To this I take the liberty of referring you as to it’s contents. I must press the immediate sending the plate of my map, as the bookseller here had not struck off his whole quantity, and apprehends he shall suffer if...
715From Thomas Jefferson to S. & J. H. Delap, 17 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured this day by the receipt of your letter of the 6th. instant. Having nothing to do with the matters of account of the United states in Europe, it is out of my power to say any thing to you as to the paiment of the balance due to you. Yet I think it would be proper for you to write to the ‘Commissioners of the treasury’ at New York on the subject. They are the persons who are to pay...
716From Thomas Jefferson to José da Maia, 19 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Je profite Monsieur du moment de mon arrivée à Nismes pour vous en faire part. Je resterai ici 3. ou 4. jours, aprés lesquels je partirai pour Avig[non], Mar[seilles], &c. J’en serais enchanté si ce rapprochement de vous me donnera le moyen de vous voir ici. Dans ce cas ayez la bonté de demander seulement le Voyageur etranger qui est arrivé d’aujourdhui. C’est en simple particulier que je...
717From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 18th. of Nov. since which I have received yours of Sep. 21. and Oct. 8. with the pamphlet on the Mohiccon language, for which receive my thanks. I endeavor to collect all the vocabularies I can of the American Indians, as of those of Asia, persuaded that if they ever had a common parentage it will appear in their language. I was pleased to see the vote of Congress of...
718From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 19 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. came to hand two days ago. Your adversary had been busy here in endeavoring to have your privilege examined and withdrawn. They had, as I think, interested Mr. Eden, the British minister, and thro’ that or some other channel conveied a story to the ear of some of the ministers, very unfavorable to you. They had particularly represented some circumstance attending the...
719From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Skipwith, 6 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Being desired to make some enquiries after the descendants of Degraffenreid the dancing master who have something of consequence descended to them in their native country, I know I cannot better do this than by inclosing to you the paper put into my hands, and praying you to make the necessary enquiries and to communicate to me the result. Having lately had occasion to go to England, I saw...
720From Thomas Jefferson to Madame d’Houdetot, 27 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
C’est aujourdhui, Madame la comtesse, le premier jour depuis plusieurs semaines que des affaires m’auroient permis de sortir de chez moi. J’avois le projet de m’en profiter pour aller vous rendre mes devoirs à Sanois. Mais un tems pluvieux me defende d’avoir cet honneur la d’aujourdui, et d’autres engagemens pour les quatre jours à venir. Monsieur Short croit que vous devez quitter Sanois...
721From Thomas Jefferson to Martin Oster, 19 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately recieved the inclosed letter from a Mr. Warneck who stiles himself the brother of an officer of that name who died in Virginia. Not doubting Sir that you will be better acquainted than I am with the nature of what he requires and what may best suit his purpose, I have taken the liberty of inclosing you his letter and begging the favor of you to do in this case what your...
722From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 20 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 30th. of Jan. with a postscript of Feb. 5. Having set out the last day of that month to try the waters of Aix, and been journeying since till the 10th. inst. I have been unable to continue my correspondence with you. In the mean time I have received your several favors of Feb. 15. Mar. 18. 19. and Apr. 23. The last arrived here about the 25th. of May, while those of...
723From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured on the 22d. Ult. with the receipt of your letter of June 15. and delivered the letter therein inclosed from the President of Congress to the king. I took an opportunity of asking the Count de Vergennes whether the Chevalier Luzerne proposed to return to America? He answered me that he did, and that he was here, for a time only, to arrange his private affairs. Of course this...
724From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 5 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter on the subject of the medals came duly to hand, but the workman has not applied to me since as I expected, and, if I ever had his address, I have mislaid it, so that I cannot send to him. However I am not afraid that any thing is going wrong, as I had desired him to leave the part in question for the last. I inclose you two letters which have lately come to hand for you. Our town...
725[From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 28 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 28 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Dr. Currie. Crawford’s theory—his ivory book not read—cypher.” Not found.]
726From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia, 9 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the honour of your Excellency’s letter of May 17. 1786. on the subject of Captn. Greene supposed to be in captivity with the Algerines. I wish I could have communicated the agreeable news that this supposition was well founded, and I should not have hesitated to gratify as well your Excellency as the worthy father of Capt. Greene by doing whatever would have been necessary...
727From Thomas Jefferson to Brissot de Warville, 27 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I now trouble you with my packets for America, which are indeed unreasonably bulky. The larger one addressed to Mr. Jay contains chiefly newspapers, pamphlets &c. so may be disposed of as you please. That addressed to Mr. Madison is of the same nature, as are all the others except the smallest of the two addressed to Mr. Jay which contains my letters, and of which I ask your special care. The...
728From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Franks and Mr. Randolph [Randall] arrived last night. This enables me to send copies of all the Barbary papers to Congress by the Mr. Fitzhughs, together with the Prussian treaty. They wait till tomorrow for this purpose. Considering the treaty with Portugal as among the most important to the U.S. I some time ago took occasion at Versailles to ask the Portuguese Ambassador if he had yet...
729Jefferson’s Suggestions for Republishing the Cruz Cano Map of South America, [ca. August 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Observations for the republication of the map of South America by Don Juan de la Cruz Cano. The same scale should be preserved, and the Spanish names of places. The title, marginal explanations &c. may be in Spanish or English, as shall be thought best. The original is on 8 sheets of paper, numbered as below. Measuring the geographical part I find that it may be comprehended in a parallelogram...
730From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 2[8] October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the honor of addressing you on the 8th. instant, the appearances of war were such, that no one would have been surprised to hear that hostilities were actually commenced at sea. The preparatives were pushed with such a vivacity on the part of England that it was believed she had other objects in view than those she spoke out. However, having protected by her countenance the...
731From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas van Staphorst, 28 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received a letter from Mr. John Trumbull of London informing me that the bill never came to his hands, which you were so kind as to draw on Herreis of London for £30. sterling or ƒ348.10 in my favor, on the 27th. or 28th of March. I remember that when I was addressing it to Mr. Trumbul, I could not recollect his address with certainty: and I think Mr. Hubbard was so kind as...
732From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. P. Derieux, 25 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 8th. of April , and am very happy that you have been able, with the succours of your relation here, to put yourself in so good a way. I have no right to take to myself any part of the merits. She was so well disposed that nothing was wanting but an explanation of your situation, and of the manner in which even a small aid would operate a great relief to...
733From Thomas Jefferson to P. & V. French & Nephew, 13 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of your letter of June 21 . inclosing one from Mr. Alexander of June 17. and a copy of his application to Monsr. de Calonnes. I am very sensible that no trade can be on a more desperate footing than that of tobacco in this country; and that our merchants must abandon the French markets if they are not permitted to sell the productions they bring on such terms as will enable...
734From Thomas Jefferson to La Boullaye, 18 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you a letter from Mr. Barrett an American, on whose case I have before taken the liberty to trouble you. He reclaims the extra duties which he has been obliged to pay on whale oils brought hither under the encouragement of Monsieur de Calonne’s letter, and which the letter which Monsieur de Lambert did me the honour to write me promises shall be refunded. That his...
735From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Ruston, 16 April 1785 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Rusten and begs the honor of his company to dinner on Tuesday next the 19th instant. RC (Raab Collection, Ardmore, Pennsylvania, 2018); addressed: “Monsr. Rusten Hotel d’Orleans, Palais royal”; wax seal affixed. Not recorded in SJL . According to Ruston’s diary, he dined with TJ on 19 Apr., at which time they discussed Great Britain’s trade policy ( DLC :...
736Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 22 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am to acknolege the honor of your letter of Jan. 29. and of the papers you were so good as to send me they were the latest I had seen or have yet seen. They left off too in a critical moment; just at the point where the Malcontents make their submission on condition of pardon, and before the answer of government was known. I hope they pardoned them. The spirit of resistance to government is...
737From 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...
738To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of Oct. 8. by the Count de Moustier. Yours of July 18. Sep. 6. & Oct. 24. have been successively received, yesterday, the day before & three or four days before that. I have only had time to read the letters, the printed papers communicated with them, however interesting, being obliged to lie over till I finish my dispatches for the packet, which dispatches must go from...
739From Thomas Jefferson to Anthony Garvey, 14 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind offers of service have encouraged me to trouble you with an enquiry whether a pair of Norman horses can be readily bought at or near Rouen, black, four feet eight or nine inches high French measure, between five and six years old, geldings, handsome, and ready broke to the carriage, and what such a pair would probably cost there? Your information on this subject will be obliging....
740From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Grand, 28 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This serves to advise you that I have taken the liberty of drawing on you for the following sums paiable at the dates and to the persons here mentioned. in favor of Petit 1450.₶ paiable immediately in favor of do. 600. paiable April 1st. in favor of do. 600. paiable Mayl 1st. in favor of the Ct. de Langeac 1875. paiable April 15. All those orders bear date this day. I expect that Mr....
741From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Cary, 13 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Mar. 21. and to correct a most unfortunate error in mine of Dec. 26. 1786. wherein I have written the word Lorient instead of Havre, praying you to send plants and seeds to Lorient only, to the care of M. Limozin, instead of Havre only to the care of M. Limozin, for it is at Havre he lives, and that is much the surest port for me. Plants...
742From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 8. which had arrived at Aix after I had passed that place, followed me here where I have received it, as also that of May 21. The one by Colo. Smith I received at Bourdeaux . He had left that place a week before I reached it. I wrote to him to the care of Mr. Carmichael. I left Mr. Barclay at Bourdeaux. He waited only the post of the day before yesterday to set out for Paris....
743From 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.
744[From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 5 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 5 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. Tr.—Mad[ison].—Annap.—Mr. Tr [presumably Nicholas Trist, Mrs. Trist’s husband, who is listed in Ford, British Officers , as a lieutenant in 1775]. Mr. Hou.—Browse [Mrs. Trist’s son, Hore Browse Trist].” Not found. There are no further entries in SJL between this date and 11 Dec.]
745[From Thomas Jefferson to John Sullivan, 27 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 27 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “Genl. Sullivan. Acknol. receipt his letters—glad of further information on Moose-correspondence—Western territory—adjournment Congr.” Not found. The letters of Sullivan acknowledged by this were those of 12 Mch. (received 13 Apr.) and 3 Apr. (received 23 Apr.).]
746[From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 28 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 28 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “P. Mazzei. My proceedings in his affairs—adjournment Congr.—will bear testimony if he can fix particular point—correspond.—communicated de Rieux’s arrival at Chas. T. and letter to me.” Not found. Derieux’s letter is that of 22 Feb. 1784, q.v.]
747From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 5 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
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...
748From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 16 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Mazzei desires me to inclose his letter to you and to add my testimony to his of the necessities he is under. This I can do with truth, observing further that had I known of the sufferings he has gone through, they certainly should have been prevented. His situation really requires that his friends should strain his resources to the utmost and give him the benefit of them for his relief....
749From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia, 7 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour of inclosing to your Excellency a report of the proceedings on the inauguration of the bust of the Marquis de la Fayette in this city. This has been attended with a considerable, but a necessary delay. The principle that the King is the sole fountain of honour in this country, opposed a barrier to our desires which threatened to be insurmountable. No instance of a similar...
750From Thomas Jefferson to William Gordon, 16 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In your favor of the 8th. instant you mention that you had written to me in February last . This letter never came to hand. That of Apr. 24. came here during my absence on a journey thro’ Holland and Germany, and having been obliged to devote the first moments after my return to some very pressing matters, this must be my apology for not having been able to write to you till now. As soon as I...