1To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, with Enclosures, 27 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received on the 15th. May the Letter you did me the honor to address me the third of that month and should sooner have replied to it, had I not expected to avail myself of a private conveyance from hence, by which I might write with greater security, than I can do by the Post. It is with the greatest satisfaction that I find you are disposed to cultivate an intercourse, which for the reasons...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, with Enclosure, 9 June 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to trouble your Excellency on a subject which is of material consequence to me. Colonel Blackden, no doubt, informed you of my being the proprietor of Lands in the western country of Virginia; of which he had some for sale while he was in France, tho they turned out short of my expectations. I have therefore applied my thoughts to another system, which there is a greater certainty...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Willink & Van Staphorst, with Enclosures, 31 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
We are honored with Your Excellency’s respected favor of 13. Inst. urging us again to pay the ƒ51,000 Guilders reimbursable by the United States the First Instant at the House of Henry Fizeaux & Co. which we should have effected, had you and Mr. Adams wrote us clearly and decidedly to do it; instead of which you both desired us to discharge only the Interest and wait the Orders of the Board of...
4II. Additional Queries, with Jefferson’s Answers, [ca. January–February 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Additional questions of M. de Meusnier, and answers 1. What has led Congress to determine that the concurrence of seven votes is requisite in questions which by the Confederation are submitted to the decision of a Majority of the U.S. in Congress Assembled? The IXth. article of Confederation, §. 6. evidently establishes three orders of questions in Congress. 1. The greater ones, which relate...
Our Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, in a Letter of 13. Ap. informs me, that he wrote Us a Letter by Capt. Lamb dated 11. March, inclosing a Variety of Papers respecting the Treaties We are directed to negotiate and conclude with the Barbary Powers. inclosed is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14. Feb. 1785, inclosed to me, in the Secretary’s Letter.— I know nothing of Capt Lambs...
6John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Let me request of you, to turn your Attention as soon as possible to the Subject of a Treaty of Commerce between the United States of America and Great Britain, and transmit to me, a Project that you would advise me to propose in the first Instance. For my own Part I like the Plan agreed on with Prussia so well, that I must request you to send me a Copy of it, and with such Changes as you may...
7John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 29 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Secretary of State for foreign affairs, in a Letter of 13. Ap. informs me, that he wrote Us a Letter by Capt. Lamb dated 11. March, inclosing a Variety of Papers respecting the Treaties we are directed to negotiate and conclude with the Barbary Powers. Inclosed is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14. February 1785, inclosed to me, in the Secretary’s Letter. I know nothing of Capt....
8John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
According to your desire I went early this morning to Versailles and finding the Ct. de Vergennes unembarassed with company, and only attended by his private Secretaries, I soon obtained the honour of a conference, in which I told him that my colleagues were very sorry that indisposition necessarily prevented their paying their respects to him in person, and obliged them to request me alone to...
I have now the honour to inform you that having shewn my Commission to the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen, and left an Authenticated Copy together with a Copy of my Letter of Credence to the King according to the usage. I had the Honour on the first of this month to be introduced by his Lordship to His Majesty, in his Closet with all the Ceremonies, and formalities, practised on...
10John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Westminster, London, 20 June 1785 . Acknowledges their letter of 15 June; agrees “entirely … in sentiment respecting Gratification to be given to Mr. John Baptist Pecquet and the Letter to be written to him.” RC ( DNA : PCC , No. 84, v); 1 p.; at foot of letter: “Their Excellencies Messrs. Franklin & Jefferson.” FC ( MHi : AMT ); in Adams’ hand.
11John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
According to your desire, I went early this Morning to Versailles, and finding the Count de Vergennes unembarassed with Company, and only attended by his private Secretaries, I soon obtained the Honour of a Conference, in which I told him that my Colleagues were very sorry, that Indisposition necessarily prevented their paying their respects to him in Person, & obliged them to request me alone...
12To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 25 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated the 23d. September last. It mentioned my having received your Letters of 4th. 23d. and 30th. May. I have since been favored with four others, vizt. 29th. July and 3d. 10th. and 11th. August with the Papers mentioned to be enclosed. They have not been laid before Congress, although I transmitted them to the President for that Purpose; for a sufficient Number of Members...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, with List of Purchases for Mary Jefferson, 10 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote you last I did not know that petit had taken places in the Stage and paid for them. This being the case I have represented it to your little daughter and endeavourd to prevail with her to consent to going at the time appointed. She says if I must go I will, but I cannot help crying so pray dont ask me to. I should have taken great pleasure in presenting her to you here, as you...
14From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am Sorry to give you the trouble of this Commission: but I fear it will not be effectually done but by you—and therefore let me beg the favour of you to send for M r de La Blancherie and withdraw my Subscription to the Society of whose affairs he has the direction, and put a stop to his sending me the Nouvelles de la Republique des Lettres et Des Arts.— he persuaded me at the Hague to...
15[To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, Jr., 6 August 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Pons, 6 Aug. 1786 . Entered in SJL as received 12 Aug. 1786. Not found; but see TJ to John Banister, 14 Aug. 1786. ]
16To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Carrington, 23 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 23 Oct. 1787. Introduces Mr. Jarvis, a “Gentleman of New England” who brings this letter and a copy of the proposed plan of government; refers TJ to Jarvis for news on that subject. Is sending a full account of the convention in another letter of this day which is being carried by “the Chevalier Jones” who intended sailing on the packet but changed his passage to another ship because...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Thevenard, 6 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçû le Portrait du Général Washington par Detems aprés La Lettre dont votre Excéllence m’a honoré pour me l’annoncer. Je ne doute pas qu’il ne Soit aussi ressemblant à ce grand homme, que L’exécution de la Peinture en est parfaitte. Votre Excéllence ayant bien Voulüe prendre des précautions, Soit pour le choix de L’Artiste, qui à fait cette Copie d’aprés Wright, Soit en priant M. Hudon...
18To Thomas Jefferson from James Buchanan and William Hay, 20 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The active part which you took before your departure from Virginia, as a director of the public buildings, leads us to believe, that it will not be now unacceptable to you, to cooperate with us as far as your engagements will permit. We foresee, that in the execution of our commission, the Commonwealth must sustain a heavy expence, and that we can provide no shield so effectual against the...
19To Thomas Jefferson from John Lamb, 20 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I Received your Excellency’s letter concerning the Cyphers . The Vessel that I am in here, and bound to America, Doth not take pradick and all papers are so Defaced with Vinager, that it will be Imposible to get the Cypher sound, to hand’s where it is ordered. Therefore must Deliver the Same to Congress, whom can Dispose of the Same at their pleasure . I am unhappy that it is so surcomstanced:...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Nesbitt, 18 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that after a good deal of trouble, I obtain’d a sauf Conduit yesterday evening about nine or ten oClock. Mr. de Villedeuil behaved on this occasion with the greatest Politeness. His situation I believe was a little embarrassing as the arrest preceded the Sauf Conduit , and was not therefore easily laid aside. However I insisted on my Character as a Publick...
21To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 21 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A letter I recieved yesterday from Mr. Limosin shews that your letter would have been much too late for the packet had it been forwarded on immediately on its arrival. The Packet sailed from the road of Havre at 5. o’clock in the morning of the 10th. Your letter arrived at Paris the evening of the same day.—Mr. Limosin tells me there is only an English ship at Havre, to sail soon for...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Diodati, 9 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 9 Dec. 1785 . Formal notice of presentation to the king as minister of the “Duc de Mecklembourg-Schwérin.” RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; in French; addressed. Not recorded in SJL .
23To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Brionne, 20 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Madame la comtesse de brionne fait mille complimens à monsieur de jefferson, il a eté si obligeant pour elle, qu’il voudra bien encore l’aider dans tous les renseignemens dont elle a besoin pour son affaire d’amerique. Monsieur le Comte de bethisy aura l’honeur de l’aller chercher et de lui mener la personne qui se destine a aller suivre nos interets. M. de bethisy espere que Monsieur de...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Jones, 21 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison having given you before he left Richmond a history of the proceedings of the assembly during their late session I have only to add to what he has done some particular acts passed by them the perusal of which may prove more satisfactory than a partial account of them. With these you receive a small pamphlet entitled Reflections &c. ascribed to Mr. St. G. Tucker together with the...
25To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 16 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed copy of a Letter which I lately received from the Ct. D’Expilly contains the best information that I have it in my power to Afford your Excellency with respect to the Situation of our Affairs at Algiers. Mr. Lamb arrived at Alicant the 24th Ulto. and undoubtedly will have advised you of his proceedings after Mr. Randalls departure. That Gentleman is now with me and avails himself...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Michel Capitaine, 8 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mézieres en Champagne, 8 Dec. 1786. Inquires about a power of attorney forwarded to Peters in June, about which he has had no news; gives his address and asks to have anything received for him forwarded. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; in French; endorsed. Noted in SJL as received 11 Dec. 1786. See Richard Peters to TJ, 1 Oct. 1786 .
27To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Baptiste Pecquet, 9 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 9 Dec. 1785 . He was introduced to TJ by Benjamin Franklin and is grateful to them both for the recompense he received from the U.S. for his services to American citizens during the war. He would be even more indebted if they would recommend him to Congress for the post of United States agent in Lisbon, which post he would discharge with “Le Zèle le plus ardent, la fidelité la plus...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Maupin, 20 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Je ne voudrois pas moins que faire le bien de toutes les nations, et quelque grande que soit cette entreprise, je n’en desespere point a l’egard des Etats unis de l’Amerique, si, après la lecture de mes differens ouvrages, Votre Excellence juge a propos de les faire passer a sa nation. J’ai deja eu l’honneur d’offrir a Votre Excellence tous les éclaircissemens qui dépendoient de moi, et je lui...
29To Thomas Jefferson from James Maury, 17 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am lately arrived here and settling in the Virginia Business. In July I left Fredericksburg, not long before when I had been in Albemarle at the Election, where I saw many of your Friends. They made a good Choice, and indeed I am happy to inform you the people have generally chosen more judiciously this year than last. At least I think so, several of Mr. Madison’s most powerful opponents...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Louis Le Pelletier, 1 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser une expédition des procès verbaux des deux séances des 15 et 28 7bre: dernier de la réception et de l’inauguration du buste de M. le Marquis de la fayette, à l’hôtel de ville de Paris, de l’enrégistrement fait de la lettre par laquelle Mr. le Baron de Breteüil a annoncé au Corps de Ville les intentions du Roi sur cet objet, de la lettre que vous avez écrite,...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Louis Alexandre, with Enclosure, 17 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Le motif d’Etre utile à ma Patrie, et à la Vôtre, guidé encore par une honnête ambition d’augmenter ma fortune, qui me suffit déja pour paroitre avec agrément dans le monde, m’engage à prendre la liberté de vous écrire, heureux si vous voulez bien m’écouter, et m’honnorer de votre Réponse. Le nombre des Connoissances que j’ai dans tout le Continent de l’amérique, et les avantages qu’offroient...
32[To Thomas Jefferson from Richard O’Bryen, 3 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Algiers, 3 Nov. 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 16 Dec. 1785. Not found.]
33To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 1 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 1 Feb. 1788 . Two ships flying American colors arrived “yesterday” with 749 hhds. of tobacco shipped by Johnson & Muir in accordance with Morris’ contract with the farmers-general; the ships, the Sally and Potomac , left Annapolis 26 Dec.; it would be “surprising” if the farmers received the tobacco in spite of the resolution and convention passed at Berni. Is informed by the masters...
34To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 28 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last from the Hague. Since that I have passed through Leyden and Haarlem on my Way to this Place which I find as busy and commercial as I think it can be. And yet I am told it has declined and is declining. This gives me Concern because I find several attributing it to an Intercourse with America and to the Independence of the latter. How true this may be in Fact I cannot say, yet...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cushing, 25 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Nathll. Barrett, A Gentleman of a very respectable Family and of good Character will deliver Your Excellency this Letter. He goes to France upon Bussiness, which the Merchants here, confiding in his wisdom and Integrity, have committed to his Care: His Excellency Governor Bowdoin having wrote you particularly upon this Subject renders it needless for me to Enlarge. Permit me, Sir, to...
36From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 11 th. with the enclosures from M r Lamb, M r Carmichael and M r Barclay. I am not Surprized that M r Lamb, has only discovered that our means are inadequate, without learning the Sum that would be Sufficient. Il faut marchander avec ces Gens la.— They must be beaten down as low as possible. but We shall find at last the Terms very dear. The Algerines will never...
37To Thomas Jefferson from De Ponçins, 29 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Vôtre excellence verra par les deux lettres que j’ay l’honeur de lui adrësser cy inclus, que j’ay proposé à m. le docteur franklin un projet, pour lever un état topografique, de tous les états unis de l’amerique, avec la notice du grain et qualité de terre de chaque canton, et le régime particulier à chaque lieu, pour y faire fleurir l’agriculture, le comerce, ou l’industrie. J’avois l’honeur...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Montmorin, with Enclosure, 21 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
J’avois communiqué, Monsieur, à Mr. de Villedeuil les observations que vous m’aviez fait l’honneur de m’adresser le 23. Juillet dernier relativement à différens objêts de Commerce à l’egard desquels vous demandéz que le Roi fasse joüir les Etats Unis des avantages du Traité Anséatique. Mr. Lambert, Successeur de Mr. de Villedeuil, vient de me faire la réponse dont vous trouverez cijoint la...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 26 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since you had said the day before yesterday that you would not go to Fontainebleau today unless the weather was good and since it rained yesterday all day without any sign of change in the near future I hoped to see you after dinner at Chaillot and I have learned with great sorrow that I shall have to leave for Holland without seeing you. Monday evening after we parted I went to Mr. Meyer’s...
40From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 1 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
The letters you did me the favor to write to me on the 4th & 7th of Jany have been duly received. In answer to your obliging enquiries respecting the dress, attitude &ca which I would wish to have given to the Statue in question—I have only to observe that not having a sufficient knowledge in the art of sculpture to oppose my judgment to the taste of Connoisseiurs, I do not desire to dictate...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Nathaniel Barrett, 11 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Letter which you did me the honour to communicate to me, from Mr. de Villedeul, I have attentively perused, and beg the Liberty of making the following remarks. Mr. de Villedeul advises you that the Farmers General received on the 1st. of April last an order from Monsr. de Calonne to comply with the Contents of his Letter to you of the 22d. October last and that on the fifth of the same...
42To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners of the Treasury, 10 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency two Acts of the United States in Congress of the 12th. and 25th. of October last: the one, relative to the Americans who are Captives at Algiers, the other to the Prize Money due to Captain Jones’ Squadron from the Court of Denmark. Mr. Jarvis (who is so obliging as to take charge of our dispatches) will deliver to you the documents relative...
43To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 21 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have presumed to desire my Friend, Col. Humphrys to present to your Excellency a copy of Mc.Fingal. Poets in all ages have aspired to the patronage and esteem of the most illustrious Characters of their times. But while I wish for the honour of being approved by a Gentleman, who joins to his public virtues, so great a share of literary merit, I must own that I depend more on the partiality...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Hogguer, Grand & Cie., 5 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Nous avons l’honneur de vous prévenir que, malgré l’espoir dont vous nous avéz favorisés par vôtre lettre du 27. Xe., Messrs. Willinck & Van Staphorst se refusent encore à nous remettre les fonds des ƒ51,000, que nous avons à rembourser pour le congrés; déjà plusieurs Porteurs se sont presentés, et nous avons calmé leur mécontentement en les invitant à revenir sous une 15ne. de jours....
45[To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson, 10 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 10 Apr. 1784 . Noted in SJL as received 19 Apr. 1784. Not found.]
46From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
I found that either the Duke of Dorsetts Letter to the Premier, had produced an order at Dover or that his Graces Letter to the Custom House Office had as good an Effect, for I was allowed to pass without Molestation, and indeed received Marks of particular Respect. We arrived Yesterday 26. in the Afternoon, and as Fortune would have it Coll Smith arrived the Night before 25.— We Soon met.— I...
47[To Thomas Jefferson from Tarbé, 22 January 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Rouen, 22 Jan. 1787. Recorded in SJL as received 24 Jan. 1787. Not found; but it must have enclosed an undated statement (MoSHi; endorsed “Tarbé”) to the amount of £34.19.6 for the cost of handling a barrel of wine sent from Bordeaux by Le Veillard to TJ; see TJ to Tarbé, 11 Feb. 1787 .]
48To Thomas Jefferson from David Rittenhouse, 8 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
About two Months ago I received your very valuable present of Books, mentioned in the last letter I had the pleasure to receive from you, for which I am greatly obliged to you. M. Cassini has sent me a Copy of the Observations made at the Royal Observatory at Paris in the Year 1786. I am at a loss to direct to him, will it be convenient for you to return my sincere thanks to him for this...
49To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, [ca. 28 March 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Oster, an agreable and amiable, but unfortunate French Lady will deliver this. And tho’ I have Nothing worth communicating, I could not refrain, on so favourable an opportunity, of once more testifying the sincere Wishes I always entertain for your Happiness whilst so remote from your native land, and also Acknowledgments which are due for past Favours. I sent, some Time past, a small...
50To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 14 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Madrid, 14 Aug. 1788. After examining his accounts with Congress, he has taken liberty of drawing on Willink & Van Staphorst at Amsterdam for 4614ƒ. 3s. 6d. in accordance with TJ’s advice of 3 June. “I transmit you the first setts of Exchange in favor of Messrs. Etienne Drouilhet & Cy. who have constantly supplied me with Money for my necessary expences while they have refused credit to others...