1From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 19 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Feb. 16 to Apr. 13. of May 3. and 10. are received, and the two last are sent to Mr. Leroy who will communicate them to the academy. You know that the States general are met and probably have seen the speeches at the opening of them. The three orders sit in distinct chambers. The great question whether they shall vote by orders or persons can never be surmounted amicably. It has...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 11 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last, which was of May 19. I have received yours of June 17. and 18. I am struck with the idea of the geometrical wheelbarrow, and will beg of you a further account if it can be obtained. I have no news yet of my Congé. Tho you have doubtless heard most of the proceedings of the States general since my last, I will take up the narration where that left it, that you may be able to...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 13 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the day before yesterday by Mr. Paradise. I write now by post . The case described in that letter page 3. line 4. to 11. has happened. Mr. Necker was dismissed from office the evening of the 11th. and set out for Geneva. This was not generally known in Paris till yesterday afternoon. The mobs immediately shut up all the playhouses. The foreign troops were advanced into the city....
4From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 17 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by post on the 13th. That day all the rest of the ministry was dismissed except Villedeuil and Barentin. The new ministers were Breteuil, Broglio, Vauguyon, de la Porte, de la Galaisiere, and Foulon. The people of Paris forced the prisons of St. Lazare, where they got some arms. On the 14th. they took the Invalids, and Bastille, and beheaded the Governor and Lt. Governor of the...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 23 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 11th. 13th. and 17th. instant. Last night yours of the 13th. came to hand. It has been long on the way. I am sorry that I am not able myself to accomodate you with the exchange of money in Europe for money in America: because on the contrary I need remittances from America. I will speak to Mr. Morris and if he can answer your purpose, I will write you by post, or he will...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 13 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 23d. of July. yours of the 13th. of the same month. I am now within a week or ten days of my departure, tho’ not decided whether by Havre or Lorient. The latter port is inconvenient, but there is a vessel there which suits me. The former port much more eligible, but no certainty yet of a vessel there. But if none before the 23d. I set out for Lorient. They have...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 14 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter I received from you at Paris, you desired me to drop you a line from the port of my embarcation. The present is merely in compliance with that wish: for having been already 19. days from Paris, detained by contrary winds, I have no news but what is given under that name in the English papers. You know how much of these I believe. So far I collect from them that the king, queen, and...
8XI. Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 29 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Sep. 28. 1790. did not come to my hands till Feb. 11. and I have not answered it sooner because it said you would be here in the Spring. That expectation being past, I now acknolege the reciept. Indeed I am glad you did not come away till you had written your ‘Rights of man.’ That has been much read here, with avidity and pleasure. A writer under the signature of Publicola...
9XIII. Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 19 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I received with great pleasure the present of your pamphlets, as well for the thing itself as that it was a testimony of your recollection. Would you believe it possible that in this country there should be high and important characters who need your lessons in republicanism, and who do not heed them? It is but too true that we have a sect preaching up and panting after an English constitution...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 19 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Ed. Note: TJ’s letter to Paine of 19 June 1792 was printed in Vol. 20: 312–13 as part of a group of documents on Paine’s Rights of Man .]