11From 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...
12From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Dec. 21. 1787. I had the honour of acknoleging the receipt of your two favours of July 27. 1787. which had come to my hands Dec. 19. and brought with them my full powers for treating on the subject of the Consular convention. Being then much engaged in getting forward the Arret which came out the 29th. of Dec. and willing to leave some interval between that act, and the...
13From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 23 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer of my letters (a servant of Mr. Morris) not going off till to-day I am enabled to add to their contents. The spirit of tumult seemed to have subsided, when yesterday it was excited again by a particular incident. Monsieur Foullon, one of the obnoxious ministry, who, as well as his brethren, had absconded, was taken in the country, and as is said by his own tenants, and brought to...
14From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 17 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have sent from this place, together with my own baggage, two hampers and two boxes, which when arrived at Havre I have taken the liberty to order to be separated from my baggage and sent by the first vessel to New York to your address. The marks and contents are as follows: TI. No. 30. } These are hampers containing samples of the best wines of this country, which I beg leave to present TI....
15From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, with Enclosure, 23 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote my letter of the 4th. inst. I had no reason to doubt that a packet would have sailed on the 10th. according to the established order. The passengers had all, except one, gone to Havre in this expectation. None however is sailed, and perhaps none will sail, as I think the suppression of the packets is one of the oeconomies in contemplation. An American merchant concerned in the...
16To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 4 May 1788 (Jay Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you in two letters of the 13 th . & 16 th . of March from Amsterdam, and have since received mr Remsen’s of Feb. 20. I staid at Amsterdam about 10. or 12 days after the departure of mr Adams in hopes of seeing the million of the last year filled up. this however could not be accomplished on the spot. but the prospect was so good as to have dissipated all fears;...
17From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 5 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of Dec. 12. which Mr. Remsen did me the favor to write me during your indisposition has been duly received; and I shall be happy to hear that the cause is removed which deprived me at that moment of the pleasure of hearing from you. My last were of the 21st. and 31st. of December. I am afraid that my intelligence may have appeared sometimes to come late to hand. My letters by the...
18From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 5 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 19th. of the last month with a postscript of the 21st. and again on the 23d. and 29th. Those letters went by private conveiances: this goes by the London post.—Since my last some small and momentary tumults have taken place in this city, in one of which a few of the rioters were killed by the city militia. No more popular executions have taken place. The capture of the Baron...
19From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 31 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the receipt of the letter of Monsieur de Calonne of Octob. 22. 1786. I have several times had the honour of mentioning to you that I was endeavouring to get the substance of that letter reduced into an arrêt, which, instead of being revocable by a simple letter of a comptroller general, would require an arrêt to repeal or alter it, and of course must be discussed in full council and so...
20From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 9 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of Mar. 1. by the way of Havre and those of March 12th. and 15th. by the way of London no opportunity of writing has occurred till the present to London. There are no symptoms of accomodation between the Turks and two empires, nor between Russia and Sweden. The Emperor was on the 16th. of the last month expected to die certainly. He was however a little better when the last...
21From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 6 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of Aug. 30. acknowleged the receipt of yours of July 13. Since that I have received your letter of Aug. 13. inclosing a correspondence between the M. de la Fayette and Monsr. de Calonne, and another of the same date inclosing the papers in Fortin’s case. I immediately wrote to Mr. Limozin at Havre desiring he would send me a state of the case, and inform me what were the difficulties...
22To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 4 February 1789 (Jay Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 25. by Gouverneur Morris is duly recieved. [I must beg you to take the trouble of decyphering yourself what follows, and to communicate it to no body but the President at least for the present. ] We had before understood thro different channels that the conduct of the Count de Moustier was politically and morally offensive. it was delicate for me to speak on the subject to...
23From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The assemblée des Notables being an event in the history of this country which excites notice, I have supposed it would not be disagreeable to you to learn it’s immediate objects, tho no ways connected with our interests. The assembly met yesterday; the king in a short but affectionate speech informed them of his wish to consult with them on the plans he had digested, and on the general good...
24To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1786 (Jay Papers)
Letters received both from Madrid & Algiers while I was in London having suggested that Treaties with the states of Barbary would be much facilitated by a previous one with the Ottoman porte, it was agreed between mr Adams and myself that on my return I should consult on this subject the Count de Vergennes, whose long residence at Constantinople rendered him the best judge of it’s expediency....
25To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 31 December 1787 (Jay Papers)
Since the receipt of the letter of Monsieur de Calonne of Octob. 22. 1786. I have several times had the honour of mentioning to you that I was endeavouring to get the substance of that letter reduced into an arrêt, which, instead of being revocable by a simple letter of ^ a ^ comptroller general, would require an arrêt to repeal or alter it, and of course must be discussed in full council and...
26From 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...
27From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 12 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 19th. 23d. 29th. of the last and 5th. of the present month. The last occasions not having admitted the forwarding to you the public papers , I avail myself of the present by a gentleman going to London, to furnish you with them to the present date. It is the only use I can prudently make of the conveyance. I shall therefore only observe that the national assembly has been...
28From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 29 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of the 25th. gave you the transactions of the States general to the afternoon of that day. On the next the Archbishop of Paris joined the Tiers, as did some others of the clergy and noblesse. 26th On the 27th. the question of the St. Domingo deputation 27th came on, and it was decided that it should be received. I have before mentioned to you the ferment into which the proceedings at...
29From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In the letter of the 8th. instant which I had the honour of writing you, I informed you that the Count de Vergennes was dangerously ill. He died yesterday morning, and the Count de Montmorin is appointed his successor. Your personal knowlege of this gentleman renders it unnecessary for me to say any thing of him. Mr. Morris, during his office, being authorized to have the medals and swords...
30From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 11 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters have been of the 14th. 19th. and 29th. of November by the way of London. The present will go the same way through a private channel . All military operations in Europe seem to have been stopped by the excessive severity of the weather. In this country it is unparalleled in so early a part of the winter, and in duration, having continued since the middle of November, during...
31From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 26 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letters I had the honor of writing you were of the 11th. and 13th. of August. Since that I have been favored with yours of July 14th and Aug. 18th.—I now inclose you such letters on the Barbary negociations as have come to hand since my last. With these is the copy of a joint letter from Mr. Adams and myself to Mr. Lamb. In mine of Augst. 13th. I mentioned that I had proposed it as a...
32From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 24 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding that the vessel is not yet sailed from Havre which is to carry my letters of the 3d. and 5th. instant, I am in hopes you will receive the present with them. The Russian accounts of their victories on the Black sea must have been greatly exaggerated. According to these the Captain Pacha’s fleet was annihilated. Yet themselves have lately brought him on the stage again with 15....
33From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of Dec. 12. and thank you for your friendly congratulations on my return to my native country as well as for the interest you are pleased to express in the appointment with which I have been honored. I have thought it my duty to undertake it, tho with no prepossessions in favor of my talents for executing it to the satisfaction of the public.—With respect to the...
34From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 29 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In the hurry of making up my letter of the 19th. inst. I omitted to inclose the printed paper on the subject of whale oil. That omission is now supplied by another conveiance by the way of London. The explanatory Arrêt is not yet come out. I still take for granted it will pass, tho’ there be an opposition to it in the council. In the mean time orders are given to receive our oils which may...
I had the honor of writing you on the 19 th . of Sep. twice on the 22 d . & again on the 24 th . the two first went by the packet, the 3 d 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. Not withstanding the advantage which the emperor seemed to...
36From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 27 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you by the way of London on the 2d. instant. Since that your’s of Dec. 7. has come to hand. I have now the pleasure to inform you that Mr. Barclay, having settled as far as depended on him the accounts of Monsieur de Beaumarchais, left Paris on the 15th. instant to proceed to Marocco. Business obliged him to go by the way of l’Orient and Bourdeaux, but he told me...
37From 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...
38From 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...
39From 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...
40From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 March–11 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The operation mentioned in my letter of Feb. 4. is going on. Montmorin has proposed to Ternant to go as Chargé des affaires. Ternant called on me a few days ago to know whether I thought his appointment would be agreeable to us. Tho he is obliged to give up his regiment, which is a certainty for life, he will do it. Perhaps Otto may be left awhile longer to put Ternant into the train of...
41To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1789 (Jay Papers)
I think it my duty to inform you that I am this day arrived here after a passage of 26. days from land to land. by the Montgomery, cap t Bunyan, which sailed from Cowes at the same time with us, I had the honor of addressing you and of sending you the Letter book & account book of Silas Deane, which I put into the hands of mr. Trumbul, who I presume is arrived at New York. according to what I...
42From 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...
43From 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...
44From 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...
45From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 23 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Mar. 12. I had the honour of explaining to you the motives which had brought me to this place. A joint letter from Mr. Adams and myself, sent by the last packet, informed you of the result of our conferences with the Tripoline minister. The conferences with the minister of Portugal have been drawn to a greater length than I expected. However, every thing is now agreed and the...
46From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 30 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
No convenient ship having offered from any port of France I have engaged one from London to take me up at Cowes, and am so far on my way thither. She will and me at Norfolk, and as I do not know any service that would be rendered by my repairing immediately to New York, I propose, in order to economise time, to go directly to my own house, get through the business which calls me there, and...
47From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 12 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment returned from Versailles, and it is the last moment allowed me to write by this occasion. The Tiers etat remain unshaken in their resolution to do no business with the other orders but voting by persons. The Nobles are equally determined and by a majority of ⅘ or ⅚ to vote only by orders. Committees of accomodation indeed are appointed, but with little prospect of effect....
48From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 25 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The various calamities which during the present year have befallen our crops of wheat, have reduced them so very low as to leave us little more than seed for the ensuing year, were it to be solely applied to that purpose. This country is therefore unable to furnish the necessary supplies of flour for the Convention troops, without lessening by so much as should be purchased, the sowing for...
49From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 19 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 30th. of the last month. Since that I have taken the liberty to consign to you a box of officers muskets, containing half a dozen, made by the person and on the plan which I mentioned to you in a letter, which I cannot turn to at this moment, but I think it was of the year 1785 . A more particular account of them you will find in the inclosed copy of a...
50From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 3 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mrs. Barclay I had the honour of sending you letters of the 3d. 10th. and 11th. of August: since which I wrote you of the 20th. of the same month by a casual conveiance, as is the present. In my letter of the 20th. I informed you of the act of public bankruptcy which has taken place here. The effect of this would have been a forced loan of about 180. millions of livres in the course of the...
51From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 11 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
As it frequently happens that we cannot meet with passengers going hence to the packet to whom we may commit our letters, and it may be often necessary to write to you on subjects improper for the inspection of this government to which the letters by post are subject, I have made out a cypher which I now inclose and deliver to young Mr. Adams who will have the honor of delivering you this. The...
52From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 21 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you in a letter of May 4. from Marseilles which was to have gone by the last packet; but it arrived a few hours too late for that conveiance, and has been committed to a private one passing thro’ England, with a promise that it should go thro’ no post office. I was desirous, while at the seaports, to obtain a list of the American vessels which have come to them...
53From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 31 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 12th. of the last month, since which your favor of Oct. 12. has been recieved, inclosing a copy of the resolution of Congress for recalling Mr. Lamb. My letter by Mr. Randall informed you that we had put an end to his powers and required him to repair to Congress. I lately recieved a letter from him dated Alicant Oct. 10. of which I have the honour to...
54To John Jay from Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1793 (Jay Papers)
The President of the United States, being desirous of asking the advice of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, on certain matters of great public concern, requests your attendance at this place on Thursday the 18 th . instant. It is on his particular charge that I have the honor of informing you of this. I have that of being with sentiments of great respect and esteem, Sir,...
55From 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...
56From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 15 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
An American gentleman leaving Paris this afternoon to go by the way of Lorient to Boston furnishes me the rare occasion of a conveiance, other than the Packet, sure and quick. My letter by the packet informed you of the bed of justice for enregistering the stamp tax and land tax. The parliament, on their return, came to an Arreteé (a Resolution) which, besides protesting against the...
57From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 19 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Our delegates by the last post informed us that we might now obtain blank letters of marque for want of which our people have long and exceedingly suffered. I have taken the liberty therefore of desiring them to apply for fifty, and transmit them by a safe conveyance. The inclosed order being in it’s nature important and generally interesting, I thought it my duty to lay it before Congress as...
58From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the 11th I have said nothing of the Arret explanatory of that of Sep. 28. on the subject of whale oils, which my letter of Nov. 19. gave you reason to expect. Tho this explanatory arret has been passed so long ago as the 7th. of December it has not been possible for me to obtain an authentic copy of it till last night. I now inclose that to you with a copy of a letter to me...
59From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 24 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you, which were dated the 6th. and 11th. of October, I have been honoured with yours of the 1st. 14th. and 15th. of September . Since the departure of the Mr. Fitzhughs, who carried my last, no confidential opportunity of writing has offered. The present I send by the way of London, and being to pass thro’ the post offices of both countries, shall mention in it nothing but...
60From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 1 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters were of the 31st. of Decemb. and 9th. of January, since which last date I have been honoured with yours of December the 13th. and 14th. I shall pay immediate attention to your instructions relative to the S. Carolina frigate. I had the honour of informing you of an improvement in the art of coining made here by one Drost, and of sending you by Colo. Franks a specimen of his...