701From Thomas Jefferson to Jean François Briet, 13 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am glad to hear that the council have ordered restitution of the merchandize seized in l’Orient contrary to the freedom of the place. When a court of justice has taken cognisance of a complaint and have given restitution of the principal subject, if it refuses some of the accessories, we are to presume that some circumstances of evidence appeared to them, unknown to us, and which rendered...
702From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Treasury, 27 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to forward to you a letter from your bankers in Amsterdam sent open to me for my perusal, and also a copy of my answer to one of a similar tenor. I have at length found myself obliged to insist with those gentlemen on the article of money destined for our captives. Themselves as well as the brokers, being holders of a considerable portion of our bonds, have an advantage in...
703From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 28 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter is come to hand since I had the honour of addressing you last. Will you be so good as to forward a copy to Mr. Jay? The assembly of Notables is held to secrecy, so that little transpires and this floats among so much incertain matter that we know not what can be depended on. 80. millions more of annual revenue and provincial assemblies are the certain objects. The giving to...
704From Thomas Jefferson to Marbois, 5 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your very obliging letter of Nov. 22. was put into my hands just in the moment of my departure from Philadelphia, which put it out of my power to acknolege in the same instant my obligations for the charge you were so kind as to undertake of presenting a French tutor to my daughter and for the very friendly dispositions and attentions you flatter me with. The same cause prevented my procuring...
705From Thomas Jefferson to Rayneval, 3 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
His Excellency Count de Vergennes having been pleased to say he would give orders at Calais for the admission of certain articles which I wish to bring with me from England, I have thought it best to give a description of them before my departure. They will be as follows. The mathematical instruments will probably be so light that I may bring them in my carriage, in which case I presume they...
706From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 6 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors by Colo. Franks have come safely to hand. He will set out from hence the 8th. inst. the packet being to sail from Havre the 10th. I inclose you the copy of a letter lately received from Mr. Barclay, and of the paper it inclosed. In a letter from Mr. Carmichael is a postscript dated Dec. 25. in the following words ‘since writing the preceding, the Portuguese Ambassador has pressed...
707To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
I this moment discover that I have dated my letter of yesterday Nov. 4. instead of Dec. 4. tho’ the letter be gone out of my hands I hope the present will reach the bearer of it in time to accompany that, and to prevent the embarrasment of dates which it might otherwise occasion. I have only to repeat assurances of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the honor to be Your...
708From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 5 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have endeavored to obtain a final order for the American prisoners at Roscoff. I was promised one for the discharge of their persons … . Having waited two days without receiving it, I am obliged to set out on my journey tomorrow morning. … I therefore leave instructions with Mr. Short, my Secretary here, as soon as the order for the discharge comes here, to forward it to the prisoners under...
709From Thomas Jefferson to LeJeune, 22 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been absent in England at the time you did me the honour to write me on the 5th. of April, I did not receive your letter till my return to this place. I am now to acknowledge the receipt of that letter, with the orders it contained for 1944₶-12-2 and 100₶-4 for Colo. Wuibert for his share of prize-money as volunteer on board the Bonhomme Richard. The money has been actually received by...
710From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 22 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 2d. inst. since which I have received yours of the 3d. and 7th. I informed you in mine of the substance of our letter to Baron Thulemeyer. Last night came to hand his acknolegement of the receipt of it. He accedes to the method proposed for signing, and has forwarded our dispatch to the king. I inclose you a copy of our letter to Mr. Jay to go by the packet of this...
711From Thomas Jefferson to William Gordon, 2 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of July 16. I had the honor to explain to you the reasons why an answer to your favors had been so long delayed. That letter containing details which were not proper to pass thro the post office, it was itself detained till a private conveiance occurred, so that it had not got to your hands when you wrote your favor of Aug. 15. You must have received it however immediately after,...
712From 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...
713From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 18 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received two or three letters from you since I wrote last. Indeed my health has been so bad that I have been able scarcely to read, write or do any thing else. Your letters to your aunt and the others shall be forwarded. I hope you will continue to inclose to me every week one for some of your friends in Virginia. I am sorry Mr. Cimetiere cannot attend you, because it is probable you...
714From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst, 7 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Having asked the favour of Mr. Peuchen, merchant at Cologne, to send me a couple of stoves which I saw there, and which I have described to him in a letter of this date, I have taken the liberty of assuring him you will pay for me his draught on you for the amount, and that you will be so good as to receive and forward them to me to the care of Mr. Limozin merchant at Havre de grace. This...
715From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 13 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I informed you in my letter of the 31st. of December of the measures I had taken relative to the reimbursement of the 51,000 gelders to Fizeaux & co. to wit, that I had asked the Willincks and Van Staphorsts to pay the interest, and written to the board of treasury for their orders as to the principal. I inclose you a letter just received from Fizeaux & Co. now Hugguer, Grand & Co. by which...
716To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 February 1786 (Madison Papers)
In my letter of yesterday I forgot to inclose one I have received on the subject of a debt due to mr Paradise, and I wish the present letter may reach the bearer of that in time to go by the same conveiance. The inclosed from Doctor Bancroft will explain itself. I add my solicitations to his, not to ask any thing to be done for mr Paradise inconsistent with the justice due to others, but that...
717From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 9 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 6th. inst. having been overtaken at Cleves by the commencement of a storm of rain hail and snow which lasted to this place, with intermissions now and then. The roads however continued good to Bonne, where beginning to be clayey and to be penetrated with the wet they became worse than imagination can paint for about 100 miles which brought me to the neighborhood of this...
718From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Robertson, 24 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Limozin having been so kind as to write to me on your subject, I consulted with an advocate here, and informed Mr. Limozin by letter of the 19th. inst. that an application from him to the Admiralty was thought the most adviseable measure; and that the admiralty would probably put him into possession of your father’s property. It will then be in his power to pay your reasonable expences....
719From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 14 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favors of Oct. 23. and 26. With respect to the mission you suggest in the former, no powers are lodged in the hands of Mr. Adams and myself. Congress commissioned Mr. Adams, Doctr. Franklin and myself to treat with the emperor on the subjects of amity and commerce, at the same time they gave us the commission to Prussia with which you are acquainted. We proposed...
720From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 13 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Carrosse which goes from hence to Havre I have forwarded a package of rough rice addressed to you. I am in hopes it may arrive in time to go with the inclosed letter by the Juno, capt. Jenkins. I will beg the favour of you to put on it this address ‘For Mr. William Drayton, Charleston: to the care of the Delegates of S. Carolina in Congress,’ and to pay the freight for me. Should Capt....
721To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 3d is this moment put into my hands, and as the post does not usually stay here above an hour, it leaves me time to scribble a few lines only, scarcely admitting them to be prefaced with an acknowlegement of the pleasure it will give me to be permitted to communicate with you occasionnally. we received dispatches from Europe yesterday, by Capt. Barney. there is no news but in...
722From Thomas Jefferson to Capellen, 8 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not in my power to write the letter for Mr. Van der Kemp the evening before I left Paris; and it is not till I arrive here that I have found one moment of leisure. Not knowing in what state of our Union he may chuse to settle I am not able to know to what persons he may be usefully and directly addressed. I give him therefore a letter to Mr. Madison, my most particular friend, now a...
723From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 25 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 22d. from Montreuil sur mer is put into my hands this moment, and having received information of your son, and two American gentlemen being to set out for London tomorrow morning, I seize a moment to inform you that he had arrived well at l’Orient and was well on the 20th. when the packet was still detained by contrary winds. Mr. Barclay, who is arrived, had also seen him....
724From Thomas Jefferson to Burrill Carnes, 9 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to thank you for the list of American ships inclosed in your favor of Aug. 23. and to desire your orders for the reimbursement of what it cost you. The affairs of Holland which for some time had threatened a war, were in a promising course of negotiation, when suddenly a war is kindled between the Russians and Turks. The latter have imprisoned the Russian Ambassador resident with them,...
725From Thomas Jefferson to Diodati, 20 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson a eté tres affligé de n’avoir pas eté rendre ses devoirs a Monsieur le comte et Madame la Comtesse Diodati: mais ç’a eté causé par une autre affliction qui a manqué d’etre bien grave. Son enfant, qui a eu la fievre depuis deux mois (avec une courte intermission seulement) l’a eu très dangereusement les dernieres semaines. Depuis trois ou quatre jours pourtant un mieux s’est...
726From Thomas Jefferson to John McQueen, 16 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Mc.Queen and was very sorry he was gone out when Mr. Mc.Queen did him the honour to call on him. He begs the favour of his company to dinner on Thursday next, and shall be happy to see him whenever he can make it convenient. Mr. Jefferson seldom goes out before noon, so that at any earlier hour Mr. Mc.Queen will find him at home. RC ( NjP ); addressed in...
727From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 22 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I was called here about six weeks ago on public business, and am now again within three or four days of my departure for France. All attempts to induce this nation to enter into such arrangements as may place our commerce on equal terms, are absolutely fruitless. This is now decided. They think they can have our trade on their own terms. They rely that the Southern states will never interest...
728From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 2 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose you the passeport for two thousand five hundred stand of arms, powder and other articles purchased and to be purchased for the State of Virginia. This passeport is to serve as well for what you have received as for what you will receive hereafter till its amount is satisfied. You will observe they are to pass free of all duty, but whether this will entitle us to...
729From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Holker, 29 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknowledge the honour of your letter of the 18th. I had before that received Mr. Plowden Garvey’s of the 16th. in which he informed me you had been so kind as to express your willingness to assist me in the purchase of a pair of horses such as I had described to him. He observed to me that the horses to be bought at Rouen were considerably larger than what I desired (4 feet 8. or 9...
730From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia, 28 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The house of LaVal & Wilfelsheim have lately protested Mr. Morris’s bills. I should not venture to say they have stopped paiment altogether; but it is something so like that that those who have bills on them may count on their being protested. They stopped their paiments on Saturday last. Their creditors are endeavoring to boulster up LaVal, but I doubt whether American demands will receive...
731From Thomas Jefferson to Parent, 11 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu bien conditionnés les quatre paniers de vin de Meursault que vous avez eu la bonté de m’expedier, et je serai pret d’en payer le montant à votre ordre quand vous voulez bien la faire presenter. Je vous prie meme de le faire auplutot parce que je conte de partir le mois prochain pour l’Amerique, d’où je ne serai de retour que l’automne. À cet epoque là j’aurai besoin de m’adresser à...
732From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 12 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In the month of July I received from Fiseaux & co. of Amsterdam a letter notifying me that the principal of their loan to the United states would become due the first day of January. I answered them that I had neither powers nor information on the subject, but would transmit their letter to the Board of treasury. I did so by the packet which sailed from Havre Aug. 10. The earliest answer...
733From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 17 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress alone has the power of appointing Consuls for the United states of America. No convention being as yet finally settled with this government for regulating the Consular functions, Congress have made no appointment for France, except of Mr. Barclay to be their Consul general. He found it necessary to name agents in the several ports to protect the citizens of the United states till...
734From Thomas Jefferson to Willink & Van Staphorst, 11 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
In your letter of the 2d. instant you refer me to a resolution of Congress which appropriates the loans of 1787. and 1788. to the paiment of interest to the year 1790 and the residue to the salaries of their ministers and the contingent expences which may arise in Europe, and you suppose that this manner of wording the resolution postpones the articles of salaries and contingencies to that of...
735From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Hawkins, 4 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowlege the receipt of your favors of Mar. 8. and June 9. and to give you many thanks for the trouble you have taken with the Dionaea muscipula. I have not yet heard any thing of them, which makes me fear they have perished by the way. I beleive the most effectual means of conveying them hither will be by the seed. I must add my thanks too for the vocabularies. This is an object I...
736From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 31 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
A safe opportunity occurring by the way of London, I have it now in my power to transmit you the sequel of the papers relative to Algiers which could not be in readiness to go with my letter of the 27th. inst. by the French packet, which I expect will sail from l’Orient tomorrow. I am enabled at the same time to send you a copy of the resolutions of the Committee on the subject of the tobacco...
737From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Bellini, 25 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Though I have written to you seldom, you are often the object of my thoughts, and always of my affection. The truth is that the circumstances with which I am surrounded offer little worth detailing to you. You are too wise to feel an interest in the squabbles in which the pride, the dissipations, and the tyranny of kings keep this hemisphere constantly embroiled. Science indeed finds some...
738From 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...
739From 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...
740From 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,...
741From 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....
742From 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...
743From 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...
744From 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...
745From 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...
746From 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...
747[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...
748From 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...
749From 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...
750From 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...