To Thomas Jefferson from Philippe Reibelt, 3 January 1805
From Philippe Reibelt
Baltimore le 3 Janv. 1805
Monsieur le President!
Ayant a la Librairie une Gravure represent. frederic le grand, et une Carte Generale des Etats unis—dont je pense, qu’il Vous fera plaisir, de les voir, et, peût etre, même de les posseder—je les ai confiè aujourdhui au Stage.
Le prix de la Gravure est | 15 | Gourdes. | |
et celui de la Carte | 6 |
Si Vous n’aimez pas de les garder—je Vous prie de me les renvoyer par la même Voie—je n’en ai, que çe seul exemplaire, qui [sera] [. . .] par un Monsieur d’içi, si Vous les refusez.
S’il n’y a pas d’occasion par eau pour me faire parvenir les 2 Caisses, qui restent Chez Vous, je Vous prie [. . .], de vouloir bien le faire remettre au Stage—je ne puis pas douter, qu’il recevra et me remettra sans obstacle des objets provenants de Vous.
Je suppose ma dernière lettre renfermant [Mes] Quittances sur Vos Assignation dans Vos mains.
J’ai l’honneur d’etre tres respectueusement, Votre Excellence tr. hbl. et tr. Obst str
Reibelt.
Editors’ Translation
Baltimore, 3 Jan. 1805
Mister President!
In my bookshop I had an engraving of Frederick the Great and a map of the United States that I thought you might like to see and perhaps even to own, so I sent them today by coach.
The price of the engraving is $15, and that of the map is $6.
If you do not wish to keep them, please send them back by the same means. I have only this one copy. A local gentleman will [take?] them if you do not want them.
If you are not able to return the two remaining cases you have by boat, please send them by coach. I have no doubt the driver will accept any objects coming from you and will deliver them to me without a problem.
I assume you received my last letter containing receipts for your purchases.
With great respect, your excellency, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant.
Reibelt.
RC (DLC); words illegibly overwritten; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.
dernière lettre: that is, Reibelt to TJ, 26 Dec. 1804.