Thomas Jefferson Papers
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Louis Philippe Gallot de Lormerie to Thomas Jefferson, 11 July 1809

From Louis Philippe Gallot de Lormerie

Philade 11 Juillet 1809

Monsieur,

Votre silençe Constant que j ai attribué d’abord a vos Occupations m’inquiète, enfin, autant qu’il m’afflige. Je ne puis que me rèferer aux Lettres que j’ai Eu Lhonneur de vous Écrire les 13 avril et 6 Juin dernier.

J’ignore absolument ce qui me prive de Lhonneur de votre réponse il est Egalement contre mes intérest et contre mon intention de vous dèplaire en aucune chose. or vous savés que sans intention il n’y a point de faute, il ne peut y avoir qu’une Erreur; et vous avés sans doute trop d’Elévation dans LEsprit et dans L’ame pour ne pas oublier une Erreur si elle a eu Lieu.

Si vous ne jugés pas a propos de me donner votre Opinion sur mes Terres de Kentucky veuillés avoir la Bonté de me procurer par Votre intercession, la faculté de remporter ma Bibliothèque et qques objets d’art, dhist: naturelle, &c ainsi que L’a obtenu le naturaliste Michaux, vous ayant prouvé que j’appartiens aux memes societés savantes avec le titre de correspondt du gouvernemt francais pour L’Agriculture dans les E:u.

J’Espére aussi et desire votre sentiment a LEgard de mon “memoire1 sur L’amènagement des forêts dans les E:u: et sur la nècessité des plantations d’arbres, notamment sur les routes publiques en ces Etats,” duquel J ay Eu Lhonneur de Vs remettre un Extrait par ma Lettre du 6 Juin der.—

L’Avantâge que j’ai de vous avoir eté recommandé par Le respectable Marquis de la Fayette, les sacrifices que jai faits pour des terres et pour mon azile dans les E.u. Enfin L’interest que j’ai toujours témoigné pour votre Bonheur personnel, et pour la prosperité de ces Etats me permettent dEsperer une Réponse favorable

Je vous prie dEtre persuadé de toute ma Discrétion et de celle dont Juserai pour ne pas vous importuner par aucune Correspondance superflue. Daignes agrèer L’assurance de mes sentimens trés respectueux

De Lormerie

Editors’ Translation

Philadelphia 11 July 1809

Sir,

Your constant silence, which I first attributed to your occupations, at last worries me as much as it pains me. I can but refer to the letters which I had the honor to write you on 13 April and 6 June of this year.

I do not know in the least what deprives me of the honor of your response. It is equally contrary to my interests and my intention to displease you in anything. Now, you know that without intention there is no fault at all—there can only be an error—and you doubtless have too elevated a mind and soul not to forget an error if one happened.

If you do not judge it appropriate to give me your opinion on my properties in Kentucky, would you kindly have the goodness to procure for me by your intercession the same right to take away my library and several art objects, natural histories, etc. as was granted the naturalist Michaux, having proved to you that I belong to the same scholarly societies with the title of correspondent for the French government for agriculture in the U.S.

I also hope for and desire your opinion with regard to my “memoir on forest management in the U.S. and on the necessity of planting trees, notably alongside public roads in these states,” of which I had the honor to send you an extract with my letter of 6 June of this year.

The advantage that I have of having been recommended to you by the honorable Marquis de Lafayette, the sacrifices that I have made for my properties and for my asylum in the U.S., and finally, the interest that I have always manifested in your personal happiness, and in the prosperity of these states permit me to hope for a favorable response.

I beg you to be persuaded of my full discretion and that I will not trouble you with any superfluous correspondence. Please accept this assurance of my very respectful feelings

De Lormerie

RC (DLC); dateline below signature; at foot of first page: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr late President of the u:S:”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 July 1809 and so recorded in SJL. Translation by Dr. Amy Ogden.

Lormerie’s letter of 13 avril was actually dated a day later. His letter of 6 juin was located after print publication of this volume, has been added digitally, and will appear in the concluding supplement to the print edition. The extrait on forest management was enclosed in the former letter.

1Opening quotation mark editorially supplied.

Index Entries

  • French language; letters in, from; L. P. G. de Lormerie search
  • Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, marquis de; recommends L. P. G. de Lormerie to TJ search
  • Lormerie, Louis Philippe Gallot de; and Ky. land search
  • Lormerie, Louis Philippe Gallot de; letters from search
  • Lormerie, Louis Philippe Gallot de; letters from accounted for search
  • Lormerie, Louis Philippe Gallot de; Memoir on American Forest Management search
  • Lormerie, Louis Philippe Gallot de; seeks permission to ship goods to France search
  • Memoir on American Forest Management (L. P. G. de Lormerie) search
  • Michaux, François André; ships goods to France search