1To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 28 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Here I am Arrived in the fond Expectation to See of Sunday morning, But find myself once more disappointed in my Eagerness to Reach Monticelo; the kindness of our friends on the Road will Make the Journey less Expeditious than I Had intended it, and the Great Business of the elections on Monday Has Coincided with those preparations to make it inconvenient for many to receive us on that day. I...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 6 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Rapatel aid de Camp to General Moreau is going to America where He wishes His Services May Be Accepted. He is an officer distinguished By His Interest His Character and Several Actions of Eclat. His Numerous Brothers are, as well as Himself faithfully Attached to the patriotic Cause. the Honor He Had to Serve in Gnl Moreau’s family ought to Have Recommended Him at Any time and with Every...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The kind invitation from the citizens of Charlottesville is on Every account gratifying to my feelings, and Amidst the Motives that contribute to my Eagerness to pay to them in person my Respectful thanks, I know they will with pleasure admire my afectionate sense of the ties which Unite them to my Excellent friend. I expect, at last, to Reach Monticello Next Thursday, and shall there ait for...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 12 May 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
General Pepe’s character is so well known to you that it is only as His friend that I claim the Right of introduction to Monticelo: time is not very distant when I will have the delight to introduce myself. But as he goes from England, I from France, and my own arrangements are not yet settled, I thought I Had better transmit these lines for you, sensible as I am of the pleasure you will feel...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 4 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
This Letter will Be presented By Mm. Armand de Leller and Casimir Rham two Swits Gentlemen, Near Relations to My Excellent friends Mm. de Leller. Permit me to ReCommend them to You, and as they will Be Long on their Way I only Add the Expression of My Grateful Affection and Respect DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
6To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 4 September 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Permis me to offer you, in the name of young and very distinguished friend M. Thierry, an intimate friend also to m r de Tracy a Work which is much approved in france, and may seem to you not unworthy of your Historical selection for the University. The author is on the point of loosing His sight. it is a great pity We leave Here for the Brandywine on the 7 th . My Heart is too full to write...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 November 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Connel who is Returning to the United States is pleased to take Charge of some Books which our excellent friend tracy Has desired me to forward in His name to you. as it is probable an other letter will Have Reached You Before this packet I shall only offer my affectionate Respects, and those of my children and to renew to you, to the whole family, my ardent wishes for your Better Health,...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 May 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter By mr Gallatin I announce to you, my dear friend, two Books of which I now inclose. my affection for the author makes me wish to know your opinion of the only book from An English pen that is in favor of American Institutions and American character. Your old affectionate friend DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
9To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 11 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Constant Mourning of Your Heart will be deepened by the Grief I am doomed to impart. Who Better than You can Sympathise for the Loss of a Beloved Wife? The Angel who for thirty four Years Has blessed My Life was to You an Affectionate, Grateful friend—pity me, my dear Jefferson, and believe me for Ever, with all My Heart, Yours Mr. and Mde. de Tessé, at Whose House We Have Attended Her...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 9 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The Happy days I Have past at Monticello Are over; But they Have Left on My Heart an impression Never to Be efaced; I Rejoice at the Visit You are Going to Receive, not only Because it will Be pleasing to You, But on Account of the General Good it May produce; You will, No doubt, talk with M r Webster of Your ideas to facilitate the Emigration of Coloured people, and, Connected with it, their...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me, my dear friend, to inclose the Copy of my Last Letter to You—there Have Been, since that date, Great Changes in Europe, all Coming from and Congenial to one System and depending on one Man—My Situation is the Same as when I made Your friendly Heart a partaker in the Miseries of an irretrievable Loss, and inconsolable Grief, and when, forced to Appear importunate, I insisted on the...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. de Montarby who is Going to America wishes to be by me presented to You, and am Happy with opportunity to oblige so deserving a Gentleman. Several Circumstances Have prompted him to Accept a proposal of Mm. Fouston and Ravel , one of the Most Respectable Houses in Europe, And Render them, in the U.S., Services which will Give Him the Happiness, much envied by me, to Visit the shores of...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to inclose the Copy of a Letter which has been adressed to you in november Last—Your information of public Concerns in Europe through the Ministerial Channels Cannot fail to be as regular and exact as I could give it from Lagrange. What I was writing about the Oder has been proved true for the Vistule and is in train to be verified on the banks of more Easterly Rivers—My Son Son in...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 21 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am on my way to Norfolk from thence to proceed to Raleigh, Fayetteville, to South Carolina, Georgia, and Byland to Montgomery where a Steam Boat Will take us to Mobile and Neworleans. I shall after four days stay at Neworlean Visit all the states Up the mississipy and ohio, pay a visit to our friend Gallatin, and Either By the Canal, albany, vermont, or thrugh philadelphia and Newyork go to...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 14 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
While You Are Enjoying the peice of private Life I am Sure You Will Not be disturbed By the introduction of Such an Acquaintance as doctor Constancio. He is a portuguese, Has Long Been in Great Britain and france, and to His Natural Accomplishments Has Joined Acquired ones Both of Which insure to Him, wherefore He Will Be known, a More Agreable Reception. I Have Not Had Myself the pleasure to...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Here I am with my son and daughter in law who is going to increase our family. Her father is to stand god father to the child and if He is a Boy we intend taking the liberty to give Him Your Name. You Have No Greater Admirers in the world than my two friends Tracy and Cabanis who live quietly in this village, going now and then to an insignificant Senate and employing their time in...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 25 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Answer to Your kind and Welcome Letter By the Arcturus Has Been Already forwarded By General Armstrong—But in the Situation of This Side of the Atlantic and the Intermediary Seas duplicates are not a Superfluous Measure to insure a Safe Arrival on the American Shore. I Shall therefore improve the Opportunity of two or three Vessels Just Going But only to write a few lines and Copies of...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 13 July 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
This Letter will Be delivered By M. de Syon a Good Young French man who was acquainted with us in France, and Has much travelled with us through the U.S. He is going to See the Natural Bridge and other Curiosities But wish above all to Have the Honor to Be presented to You, as I don’t know when or How we will meet Again I Give Him this line of introduction. Your Amiable grand daughter is now...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
My dear Excellent friend, Here I am, on American ground, Welcomed in a Manner that Exceeds the power to Express what I feel. Those testimonies of kindness to Which time does not Suffice Have prevented my writing to you, as I intended, from Newyork. an invitation from the City of Boston, Received in france, and a Consequent Engagement on my part Have brought me Here; I Shall be Returned to...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Livingston is Going—I Heartily Lament Not to Accompany Him—it is Necessary for me to Hope You Will Approve My Motives, not only those I Have Stated in former Letters; the Copies of Which I Beg Leave to Inclose, But those also Which in Confidential Conversations He Will more particularly Explain—My Heart is known to You, My dear friend, and if You think You Have to Blame me for Mistaken...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
It is a very long while since my eyes were gratified with a sight of Your Handwriting: I know that Occupation is a fatigue to you and would not Be importunate. But when You indulge the pleasure to Converse with absent friends Remember few are as old, and None Can Be More Happy than I am, in the testimonies of Your welfare and Affection. Every Account I receive from the U.S. is a Compensation...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letters of the 26. May and 14th. July are come to me nearly at the same time—The older in date a few days latter—In both I have enjoyed your most precious friendship—Your account of Burr’s conspiracy was eagerly expected, and while I abhorr his liberticide projects I am happy in a new instance of the impractibility of such a perversion of men and things on the Land of freedom—I also...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ my Letter by Young Mr. McHenry Had Not Reached You, I am sure You Have by this time Heard of My Unhappy fate. The Wife whose Loss I am left to Mourn Has Been Long known to You—in Her, as Every Moment of an Union of Thirty four Years, I Have found the Greatest Blessing My Heart Could Wish for and more than a Compensation for Every possible Misfortune—The Great and Amiable character She...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 29 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
So Long a time Has Elapsed, Since I Had the pleasure to Hear from You that I think it Better for fear of Omissions or Repetitions to inclose Copies of two Letters Sent of triplicate the Answers to which Are Eagerly Expected My Sentiments Have been During thirty Years so well known and proved to You that it is Almost Superfluous to Mention What I felt at the painful tho imperfect intelligence...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 16 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me, My dear friend, to Inclose the Copies of Letters to You, mr Madison, and mr Duplantier which set out this day by a direct Opportunity, So that I shall only Add the Expression of my Affectionate, Grateful Respect and friendship DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson. The Letters to Mr. Madison and M. Duplantier which accompagny this are so full of my Louisiana Concerns that I need not...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 22 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter June the 27th, with a post Script of the 11th. July, is the last from You I Have Received—there I found New Motives for Grateful feelings and Serious thoughts—it Became the Matter of Conferences with Mm. Livingston, Monroe, and Armstrong, Where each of Us Endeavoured to Guess and follow What Would Have Been, on the Spot, Your Sense of public duties and personal Situations—they Have...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 5 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I Cannot Resist an Opportunity to write to You—there is for me the Heartfelt Consolation in Expressing the Anguish I feel to a friend Ever, and in this Instance more Than Ever Ready to Sympathise with me— My Wife is Under the pains and danger of a Malignant fever which Has Been preceded By a thermic desease of a Very obscure Nature— There Have Been for Some time fears of an Obstruction of the...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Here I am on My Visiting progress, delighted With the improvemens I Every Where Witness, and penetrated With Gratitude for the Welcome it Has Been My Happy Lot Every Where to Meet. The Extraordinary Circumstances of a Reception So Superior to Any individual Merit Have However, to My Great degree Mixed With Much delight, prevented My fulfilling the most pressing duties of a Correspondence With...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 19 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Good Letter inclosed in the Official dispatches by the St. Michael Has Afforded me Great Comfort. No Balm Can Be Applied to a Suffering Heart More Soothing than the Sympathising Affection and Regrets of Such a friend as You—While I Have So often with Her Lamented the Loss of Your Happiness I did not foresee that Before Long I should Be Entitled to a Reciprocity of Your Condoling Pity—and...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 26 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter Has found me at Richmond where I Came in obedience to a kind invitation from the assembly of Virginia, and I now am on my way to meet another kind Call from the assembly of pennsylvania at Harrisburg, so that I cannot Be Returned to Washington Before the 5 th or 6 th February, and on the 24 th I Contemplate to set out for the Carolinas, georgia, alabama, new orleans, and the...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 25 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho I Have Not Since My Return to france Received any direct letter from Monticello, I Have the Gratification to Conclude from Several Reports, namely from An Account of Your Visit to the University that Your Health is Much improved from what I Have left it. it is a pleasing thought to me that when these lines Will Reach You there Will be a short time to Wait before Your dear Helen Has...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 28 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Necessity of an Active Correspondance with the U.S. Has never been Better Evinced than on the Arrival of a West India Rumour which would Have dreadfully Alarmed us, Had we not Been in the Blessed Possession of Your Own Letters. I Hope You will never leave Your friends in Europe Without Regular Intelligence of Your personal Welfare. the Want of it I feel, the More, My dear Jefferson, as It...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, with “Avis au Comité du Commerce”, [19] March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I send you several letters which Have been intrusted to me, and Now are forwarded by a safe Hand. You will also find one I had writen to you at the time of your departure which Arrived too late. The Epistle to Joseph Brant is writen by My Young indian whom I Requested to ask Brant what are His Views and His Hopes from the Court of Great Britain. I am every Minute waiting for a Copy of...
34[To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 5? November 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Nemours [5?] Nov. 1787. Recorded in SJL as dated “tuesday (Nov. 5)” and received on 9 Nov. 1787; however, Tuesday fell on 6 Nov. in 1787, so TJ was in error either in the day of the week or the date. Not found.]
35To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 26 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to forward a dispatch recommended by the president of Congress, to be sent to you by a particular conveyance. Lieut. Stokely is charged with it, and directed to deliver it into your own hands. Lord Cornwallis was at Birds yesterday, from which place he retired with his main body, into Williamsburg. We have been pressing his rear, with our light parties, supported by the army,...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 1 July 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have Been Honoured with your favor of the 14th and while I am to thank you for the pains You took of Acquainting me with particulars Relative to Col. Ross, I feel a sincere pleasure in this opportunity to Continue our Correspondance. The Honor of Hearing from you Shall Ever Be wellcome, and I Beg leave from time to time to present You with the Camp Gazette, and with the assurance of My...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, [ca. 1 November 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
[. . .] [. . .]ngston Has [. . .] My frien[. . .] [. . .] you and the philosophical Society With two Copies of a Work [Which], [not]wistanding the Actual turn of the public Spirit, Has Attracted Much Notice in France, and Will I am Sure Appear to You a Very Distinguished performance—An other Friend of Mine, Cen Tracy , My Colleague in the Constituent Assembly, My Son’s Father in Law, Now a...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 14 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Mis. De la Fayette a l’honneur de faire ses compliments à Monsieur Jefferson et lui envoye la lettre de Mr. Le Cte. De Florida Blanca. Il verra que dans ce tems l’article des Limites avoit été différemment reglé que les prétensions Espagnoles ne semblent l’annoncer. L’original de cette lettre fut envoye dans le tems au Congres. Une Copie remise à Mr. Jay mais il n’y eut rien de plus de fait...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, [before 8 February 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Otchikeita is Gone to the abbé, and Kayenlaha will wait for You to Morrow. It is probable Mr. du Crest will be there, Ambassador from the Court of the Palais Royal. Duke d’Harcourt writes me that Eleven Suits him Better than ten. Adieu. Here is an Application from Horace’s to our Good General Here are three Verses made By M. de Marmontel RC ( DLC ); unsigned; without indication of addressee or...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, [11 November 1800] (Jefferson Papers)
As I’ll Have By this Opportunity the pleasure to Write to You, I shall Now only Mention the Affair of M. de BeauMarchais Which You Better know than I do—His Claims Have Been InHerited By a former Aid de Camp of Mine Who Married Beau-Marchais’s daughter and Whose Sister is a Wife to General Dumas the Chief of the Staff in the Middle Army—My Attachement to My two Companions Makes it a duty for...
41Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer of these Lines is M r Lakanal Member of the french institut , officer of the University and inspector General of the New Metrical System who abandons those functions and a Handsome treatment to Become a Settler in the State of Kentucky . He Has for Several years been in the Representative Assemblies of france , and is Going to Seeck in the U.S. Liberty, Security, and Happiness. I...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, [12 July 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
I thank You, My dear sir, on the Good News You Give me from S. Carolina . I Hope Virginia will not fail. Every thing Goes on well But the Point Relative to the Presidency which You and I Have at Heart. I Confess this Makes me Uneasy. Will the General Agree with You. The Moment He Adopts our Opinion, My fear is Gone. Our Internal trouble did take a decided turn. The late Arrêt du Conseil Missed...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 27 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the Return of the British fleet in the Bay, With A Number of Vessels supposed to Be transports from Newyork, I Have Entirely lost Every Hope of An immediate Operation Against Portsmouth. How Much the disappointement is felt By me, Your Excellency Will Better judge than I Can Express. This However May Be A satisfaction that On our part, We Have Been perfectly Ready And that With A Naval...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 20 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am Happy in the Opportunity to present to You Mr David Parish a Worthy Member of the Respectable family to Whom I am Attached By intimate ties of Gratitude and Affection. His father, Mr John Parish was Consul of the United States in Hamburgh When My Wife and Daughters Arrived there on their Way to Olmutz. in Him they found Hearty Welcome, friendly Advices, Generous Support—nor did ever...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 17 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In the Joy of my heart I congratulate you on the happy arrangement which has Lately taken place—The occupation of Louisiana by the French Governement was big with Evils—I doubly felt them—Now I see for the United States noble boundaries, and for that Vast Country the insurance of Liberty and republican Union—How happy I am in that transaction I want Words to Express With respectful and...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Am the More flatterd By the Command Which His Excellency General Washington Has Been Pleased to Intrust to Me , As Independant of the General Good that May Be Hoped from this Expedition, It seems to Promise An Opportunity to Gratify the High Sense I Have of My Personal obligations to the State of Virginia. I Shall from time to time Inform Your Excellency of the Movements of the Continental...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 29 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enemy’s Movements into the Country, and our great deficiency in Cavalry, makes it absolutely necessary that two hundred dismounted Dragoons, under the Command of Col: White are immediately furnished with Horses. For this purpose I have directed Col: White to fix upon some Place of safety to equip his Men, and send them to the Feild; to accomplish which I must request the favor of your...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 16 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me leave to present to You M. L’ Herbette a french Citizen of a Respectable family, Great personal Merit, and to Whose Worthy Uncle I am Under Obligations the Nearest to the Heart—I know this introduction will insure to Him Your Good Wishes and kind Patronage—With the Highest Regard and Most friendly Affection I am Yours RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received “by mr L’Herbette ” on 16...
49Lafayette to Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have Had Lately, Notwistanding the Strangeness of the times, Good Opportunities to write to You— Nor do I think this Letter is the only one I Shall Send By the John Adams — But Before I Leave paris , where I Have Been detained By Very disagreable pecuniary troubles, I must Lodge with General Armstrong a third Copy of My long dissertation on my private affairs—a memorial Still Longer Has...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, 27 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding the Advantage of Your Situation in the busy Center of public Affairs, I know that our Country News will not be Quite Uninteresting to You, particularly when they Are Mixed with the Personal News of a family Most sincerely Attached to You. Our Preliminary Assembly is at an End, the journal of which I Have directed to be sent to You. We Had No details to Enter into, but it Has...