To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Newton, 1 June 1801
From Thomas Newton
Norfolk June 1 1801
Dr Sir
Mr. James Taylor Jr informd me he had sent by Capt Stephen Moore two pipes of Brasil wine & had reserved two more for you to be sent by some other oppertunity; Capt. Moore has promised his particular care of them & to forward them to you from Alexandria.—The Frigates I expect will sail this day, the French Frigate Semilante is1 in Hampton road I beleive ready for sailing & it is said here that the Boston is cruising of our Capes to have a brush with her, I hope it is no harm to wish they may not meet; we have no later news here than you have. I shall be exceedingly obliged if send the enclosed to Mr Smith & am respectfully
Yr Obt Servt.
Thos Newton
12 OClock. The frigates have saild The Semilante I beleive has not they have a fine wind—
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 6 June and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.
The frigate Sémillante arrived in Norfolk in March 1801, carrying among its passengers Louis André Pichon, the French chargé d’affaires in the United States (Federal Gazette and Baltimore Daily Advertiser, 17 Mch.; Vol. 32:296n). British frigates blockaded her exit from the Chesapeake Bay until at least early November (New York Commercial Advertiser, 14 Nov.).
1. Word supplied.