6301To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Eppes, 2 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour the 8th. of August I have recd I wish it was in my power to say somthing certain about Mazzeis claim against Capt. Hyltons Estate. It ought certainly to be paid. I never had his account and wish you coud assertain its amount. Every thing in my power shall be done to have settle’d whilst you are in Virginia. I have no part of the Estate in my hands having given in an account of my...
6302To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 4 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Marseilles, 4 Sep. 1791 .Acknowledges receipt of TJ’s letter of 13 May and its pleasing account of American affairs.-He hopes that France will soon enjoy internal tranquillity. “Matters are now at a critical Period. The constitution will be presented very soon to the King. He must be rendered at a full Liberty to accept it Legaly. It appears that the rational of the Nal. Assy. and of the...
6303Enclosure: Algier’s affair, 4 September [1791] (Jefferson Papers)
By Two Letters that I have received from algiers the 13th. and 26th. Last July, from Capn. Richd. obrian American Captive in that Place, I am Informed that— “the 12th. July 1791—a 6 ½ A M. this day departed this Life Mahomet Pacha Dey of algiers , and was Immediately succeeded by the addi Hasnagi or Prime Minister, now hassan Pacha. I have reason to think that U. S. will more easily obtain a...
6304To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 4 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Assembly decreed three days ago that a deputation should be named to present the constitution to the King, that he should be prié to give such orders as he should judge proper for the guard and the dignity of his person, and finally that if he adhered to the wishes of the nation in adopting the constitution, he should be prié to settle the formality with which he should solemnly pronounce...
6305To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Skipwith, 4 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your ideas (conveyed by letter 6th May) respecting our critical situation as the Representatives of Mr. Wayles, were truly comfortable, as they were coincident with my wishes, and dispel a little of the gloom which has but too long hovered over our matters.—Yesterday for the first time at the District court of P. Edward, I ventured to shew your letter to a friend of mine truly eminent in the...
6306To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 5 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I informed you in my letter of yesterday that the acte constitutionel had been presented to the King the evening before, by a deputation of the assembly, and that he had answered that he would examine it and make known his determination as soon as so important a subject admitted of.—The organ of the deputation, M. Thouret, in informing the assembly yesterday morning of this circumstance added...
6307To Thomas Jefferson from David Hartley, 6 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
May I beg the favour of you to give me your assistance officially, and as an old friend, towards obtaining letters patent in the united states of America, for the improvement of one of the most universal and important manufactures for the uses of life, that can exist in any country in the world; I mean the manufacture of all edged instruments of steel; than which none is more extensive or...
6308To Thomas Jefferson from James Brown, 7 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your favor of the 20t. ulto. and shall attend to the Box of Putty ⅌ Sloop Polly Cap Heth, the articles you forwarded some time ago still remain with me, Mr. Randolph, who was here, ten days ago, desired they might remain till he sent a waggon for them.—I propose making a Shipmt. of Tobacco for France but am alarmed at the proceedings in that Kingdom. Should a Civil War ensue private...
6309To Thomas Jefferson from William Knox, 7 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Cork, 7 Sep. 1791 . A recent trip to England on private business has prevented him from sending the shipping return requested by TJ. As soon as he arrives in Dublin he will send one to TJ covering arrivals from 1 Jan. to the present. “Mr. Nepean under Secretary of State for the Home Department of Great Britain informed me previous to my leaving London that Mr. Hammond would certainly be the...
6310To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Auldjo, 8 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Cowes, 8 Sep . 1791. Nothing of commercial importance has occurred here since his letter of 8 July last. Americans enjoy every advantage and attention they can expect.—British armaments have been reduced to peacetime levels “since the Allied Courts have come to an agreement with Russia about terms of peace to be proposed to the Porte for the termination of the War.”—The Secretary of State...
6311To Thomas Jefferson from Sylvanus Bourne, 8 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received the letter you did me the honour to write me of Augt. 14th. covering a duplicate of yours of May 13th. which I acknowledged the receipt of, in a letter dated July 5th that must probably have reached you before this. Prior to the receipt of your last I had concluded upon embarking for America soon as every prospect of obtaining a reception here had ceased. Particulars, I shall...
6312To Thomas Jefferson from Willing, Morris & Swanwick, 8 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In Letters that we have Received from some very Respectable Houses in Europe with whom we have the honour to Correspond we have been Requested to solicit two Appointments of Consulships from the United States abroad. We can not Refuse to our Friends our solicitations with you on the Subject any more than our assurances of our firm belief that the offices will be deservedly filled should they...
6313To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Remsen, Jr., 9 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The letters [an]d gazettes have been regularly forwarded agreeably to your directions. Among those now sent is a letter from Judge Chipman , which, from it’s being under a kind of flying seal and the information I received from the bearer of it, Mr. Tichenor an intimate friend of Mr. Chipman, I took the liberty of opening. You will be surprised to find, Sir, that the duplicate commission you...
6314To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 10 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 10 Sep. 1791 . He has just received a letter of the 19th ulto. from Carmichael delivered by Mr. Milne, who visited the President at Mount Vernon in 1779. Carmichael has sent his dispatches to America and complains of ill health. Milne said that he was “emaciated and weakened by the late attacks of the Cholic which he has suffered.”—The wavering policy of Spain manifests itself in the...
6315To Thomas Jefferson from Ezra L’Hommedieu, 10 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I saw you at this Place I have received from Colo: Sylvester Dering of Shelter Island some Observations he had made on the wheat Insect commonly called the hessian fly , which I send you herewith inclosed with some Stubble of the yellow bearded wheat (as little subject to Injury by the Insect as any we have). By carefully examining this Stubble, by opening the Straw near the Roots and...
6316To Thomas Jefferson from Tubeuf, 10 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Un des avantages que j’attendais d’une létre que M. le Mis. dela Fayette m’a remise, par laquelle il veut bien me recomander a vous, etait de vous la présenter moimême, de vous exposer le Plan de l’Entreprise que je vais faire, sur les bords du clinch. Une traversée de 85 jours, du hâvre de Graces ici, moitié plus longue que je ne l’avais compté, ne me laisse pas disposer d’un instant, et me...
6317To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 12 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor to write you on the 10th. Ultimo, which Letters went by the America Captn. Mackay, via New York, and which I now confirm, since then I am deprived of the pleasure of any of your much respected Favors. I now inclose you Copies of Mr. Long’s (Joint Secretary to the Treasury) Letters to me, in Answer to mine on the Subject of the Seizure of the Hope, and Janet at Liverpool, which...
6318To Thomas Jefferson from James Swan, 12 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
It will give you much satisfaction to know, the Success that has attended an essay of Boston Salted Beef and pork. I ordered a barrel of each sort of these articles to be sent me last December. They were Ship’d from Boston to Rochelle, from thence to Havre and from Havre here. All these Shipments and reShipments took up about nine months, when the Commissaries named by the Minister of Marine,...
6319To Thomas Jefferson from James Maury, 14 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Liverpool, 14 Sep. 1791 . He last wrote to TJ on 22 Aug.—British ports are closed to foreign wheat, and in this district many American vessels have experienced difficulties primarily because of “excess of spirits.” All but three of them have been released without great expence, though not without injury to their owners. The brig Betsey , commanded by Captain Salter of Portsmouth, New...
6320To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 14 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose and forward you by the way of England a copy of the King’s letter sent yesterday to the national assembly announcing his acceptance of the constitution, and his intention of going to day to solemnize that acceptation in the assembly. He accordingly went today and took the oath required. The Queen also was present in a lodge adjoining the assembly room. This...
6321To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Stevens, 14 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Culpeper Court House, 14 Sep. 1791 . Thanking TJ for his of the 10th, he acknowledges his gratitude to him and to President Washington for offering him an appointment. Perplexed over whether to accept, he apologizes for explaining himself. “But from the Knowledge I have of your disposition, I find myself under no restraint to take up so much of your time, as to give a small Sketch of the...
6322To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 17 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Amsterdam ], 17 Sep. 1791 . Has just received the happy and important news that on the 13th the king accepted the Constitution, without protest, as it was presented to him, and that he would go the next day before the Assembly to solemnly confirm his acceptance. Dumas has been at Amsterdam for a few days with friends and will remain here until the end of the month. He has delayed sending...
6323To Thomas Jefferson from William Blount, 19 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
“Territory of the United States of America south of the river Ohio,” 19 Sep. 1791 . Enclosing a census of the territory showing 35,691 inhabitants, 3,417 of whom are slaves.—“The heads of families very generally were opposed to giving in their numbers fearing a General Assembly would shortly be the consequence. Hence it may be fairly inferred that the numbers are not exaggerated and to this...
6324To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fay, 20 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of your letter of the 30th ult. I omitted sending by the last post in Expectation of receiving the Quebec papers. I have established a corrispondence with several public characters in that Province, by which meanes I expect daily to receive them Regularly, no time will be lost in forwarding them to you, free of expence.—I enclose you several of our last papers, but they are...
6325To Thomas Jefferson from John Harvie, 20 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of August the 14th. came to my hands at a time when I was two much Indisposed to pay any Attention to its Contents, and upon now looking into it, I am sorry to find that the Land Office can furnish you with no Information of the Quantity of Land located for the Virginia Continental Line on the South Side of the Ohio, the Warrants of Survey issuing from this Office being General,...
6326To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Atkinson, 21 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Being inform’d that there has been Orders by official Authority, for some Enquiries to be made, whether any Manufactories are establish’d in this State? what Progress are already made in them? and whether there is any probable Prospect of their being carried on to any Advantage? I was peculiarly pleas’d with the Information from the satisfaction it afforded me (as a warm Advocate for extending...
6327To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 22 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the King’s solemn acceptation of the constitution mentioned to you in my last he seems to have taken much pains to shew that it was his free choice. The day of the constitution being proclaimed throughout Paris agreeably to the decree of the assembly, the chateau and garden of the Thuilleries and the Champs-Elysees were illuminated at the King’s expence. He went in the course of the...
6328To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 23 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 23 Sep 1791 . Despite Thomas Barclay’s arrival in Oporto, he still has not received the letters Barclay brought from America for him.—Two British packets and a cutter from England with dispatches for Mr. Walpole have arrived since his letter of the 10th instant. Peace has been concluded between the Emperor and the Porte, and peace will soon follow between the Empress and the Porte,...
6329To Thomas Jefferson from John Skey Eustace, 24 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting for your Excellency’s Acceptance the best Edition I have been able to select of the french Constitution as solemnly ratified by the Monarch on the 14th. Instant, together with the Act of general Amnesty passed by the national assembly the Day following on a particular recommendation of the King contained in his Letter of the 13th. which is declaratory of...
6330To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 25 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 25 Sep. 1791 . “The political situation of this country is now likely to take a favorable turn and faith and tranquility will I hope succeed fear and incertitude.” The King unequivocally sanctioned the Constitution on the 14th and the 30th is fixed for the Legislature to replace the National Convention. All persecutions for revolutionary actions have ceased and a general amnesty is...
6331To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 25 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I informed you in my last that it was uncertain what measures the national assembly would take with respect to their decree of May relative to the islands. The colonial committee have since made their report on that subject and the assembly adopted yesterday the decree which you will see in the paper inclosed, with a slight alteration in the 3d. and 4th. articles limiting the time of the...
6332To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 27 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 27 Sep. 1791 . Barclay arrived on the evening of the 23d instant and delivered TJ’s dispatches of 13 May, 13 July and 26 July. These letters were the first to inform him of Barclay’s mission to Morocco, a letter on this subject from Barclay in Philadelphia having failed to arrive.—On the 24th instant he gave the Compte de Rhode, the Prussian minister to Portugal, a letter for William...
6333To Thomas Jefferson from Augustine Davis, 28 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 15th. inst this day, which was handed to me by a Mr. Carr, with two other letters for the mail, which will be forwarded to morrow. I have been in daily expectation, for some time past, of having the Cross Post from this to Staunton fixed, but have been disappointed by the person failing to procure his securities. David Ross, Esq. and Major Langham, of...
6334To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 29 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved two days ago from Havre your letter of the 28th. of July together with the newspapers and books for the consulates accompanying it. I am sorry that the circumstance mentioned in the second and third page of that letter continues still in force. My letters will have explained to you how it was brought about by the personal interests and designs of some and the unparalleled ignorance...
6335To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 29 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
My late private letters to you have been of July 7. (bis) and 17.—I received two days ago yours of July 28. inclosing a bill of exchange for £131.5 stlg. which shall be placed to your credit in the hands of V. Staphorst & Hubbard as has been already the balance remaining here in your favor.—I will send you by the way of Havre in a few days the continuation of our private account. In it you...
6336To Thomas Jefferson from Harry Innes, 30 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Impressed with an idea of the necessity and great utility which would result to government by uniting the views and interests of the Inhabitants of Kentucky with those on the North West side of the Ohio, and adopting some measures for reconciling existing jars between the Fœdral Troops and the people of this District, I take the liberty of suggesting to you an opinion on the Subject, with the...
6337To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 30 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor to write you on the 12 Inst. by the Zephyr, Capt. Crombie, via Annapolis, to which I pray your reference.—We have nothing of a political nature stirring worth your attention: the King and his followers are still at Weymouth.—The general opinion is, that the Parliament will not meet ‘till after Christmas to do Business; then, the Minister will face them, and give his reasons for...
6338To Thomas Jefferson from George Twyman, [ca. 30 September 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The very great enequality in our Circumstances, But more in knowledg, Education, and preferment, makes it indisputable that you Can hope, or expect, any Sattisfaction from any Conversation that might be between us. And a Bare Sight of each-other must be full as little.—And although I have not Before now been to see you, yet I must say it is not for want of a Due Respect.—For being so sensible...
6339To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 1 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
[ The Hague ], 1 Oct. 1791 . The King’s acceptance of “la Constitution des françois” has strengthened the monarchy and ensured the future happiness of France. The replacement of the Legislative by the Constituent Assembly also bodes well for the progress of the revolution in France.—The news from the Netherlands is of quite a different nature. The money for the forced loan of 25th last no...
6340To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 1 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 1 Oct. 1791. He does not know when he will have another opportunity of directly forwarding letters to America as the last American vessel in the harbor has been sold and converted into a Portuguese ship. Taking advantage of the British packets, he announces that Louis xvi has accepted the French constitution and that acts of oblivion, recommended by the king and proposed to the...
6341To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 1 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
For some time back I had been looking forward to the agreeable event of your arrival at Monticello that there above all other places I might have the pleasure of paying you my respects in person. This satisfaction I am now compelled to defer untill your return to Philadelphia, being called to Norfolk by some little business of such urgency as will not indulge me with delay. The same reasons...
6342To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 2 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter was too late for the Vessel from Bayonne. I have Since Seen the Executors of Mr. Le Roi who have confirmed to me the legacy of 15.000₶ left to your neigbour Mr. De Rieux payable in 6, 12 and 18 months after his Death. The first payment is now Due and will be paid to the Attorney of Mr. de Rieux on demand. You can dispose of me in the remittance of the legacy to Virginia....
6343To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 2 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
An end was put to the session of the national assembly the day before yesterday by the speech of the King and the answer of the President which I have the honor of inclosing you. There has been no instance perhaps where His Majesty has been more sincerely satisfied with the reception he met with from the public than that day.—The assembly room was crowded with people of all classes and all...
6344To Thomas Jefferson from James Currie, 3 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 3 Oct. 1791. He has learned from Colo. Randolph that TJ’s visit to Monticello will be too brief to afford him time to pay his respects and extend personal thanks for TJ’s assistance in helping him recover the debt John Griffin owes him. Griffin wrote him from Baltimore on 15 Sept., complaining of “the infamous conduct of those to whom he had confided his principal affairs and...
6345To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 3 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with yours of the twenty sixth of July for which I pray you to accept my thanks. I mentioned to you from London that Mr. Walpole had been offered the Place of Envoy extraordinary to the United States which he had refused. I took Care to avoid any sort of Intercourse with the Government while I was there and of Course could not possess any minute Information worthy of your Notice....
6346To Thomas Jefferson from David Jameson, 4 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured with your letter of the 14th. of August, and am truly sorry it is not in my power to throw any light on the subject. I made it my business to see Mr. John Browne and Mr. John Pierce in hope that by a free conversation with them something might be thought of that would give aid to the business, but they assured me every thing that came to their knowledge they had communicated to...
6347To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Smith, 4 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Southwest Territory, 4 Oct. 1791. Letter of 12 Aug. to William Blount is received in his absence.—Provides answers to questions TJ asked relating to boundaries of Indian claims.—Rumors that Zachariah Cox has established a settlement on the Tennessee River are untrue. The Chickasaws permitted him to set up a post solely to trade with them. His acquittal by the Superior Court has encouraged...
6348To Thomas Jefferson from James Yard, 5 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
St. Croix, 5 Oct. 1791. He encloses an account of the annual imports and exports of St. Croix and St. Thomas and a list of duties on imports from America. The former is not entirely accurate. The quantity of imported Indian meal is probably one fourth and that of imported lumber one third less than the figures given in the enclosed account, “as permission to export Sugars is granted only to...
6349To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 6 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you at present my account with the U.S. from July 1. 90. to July 1. 91.—A balance as you will see remained due to me at that date of 4146. florins of which 1846. were due on the account of the year before. This shews that the whole of my salary is not expended which arises from two circumstances. 1. That I had for a long time no house rent to pay, and 2. that I have not augmented my...
6350To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Rutledge, 7 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Pleasure of receiving some days ago your Letter of the 25th. August, and now take the Liberty of introducing to your acquaintance my Friend Barnwell, who wishes much to be known to you, and who deserves to be gratified in what he wishes. I have already given you his Character. I told you in my last that, he had given me his Sentiments respecting the carrying Trade, in writing, and...