451To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Boylston, 11 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here Tuesday Evening. I have not as yet informed my self what price, I shall be able to realize for my Oil, but as far as I have enquired, find it will not save me harmless at any rate, except the duties charged on it be remitted. Should the Marquis de Fiat and your assistance, for that purpose prove successfull it will answer. If the terms of receiving the Cash, without being...
452To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Boylston, 25 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here Fryday Morning, in a most miserable condition, haveing taken great cold, my eyes so inflamed that I cannot see to write, and am Obliged to have [an] amanuensis, Capt. Folger to do it for me. I have here inclosed to your care a Letter for the Marquiss , which have sent you open, that you may peruse it. Having so done, please to have it sealed and sent him. I find the Ship in...
453To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Boylston, 2 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favor’d with a Letter, adviseing me of your success in the reduction of the duties on Whale Spermacoeti Oil, which was the Object of my pursuit last Winter at Paris, and left undetermined, under your care and vigilance to perfect and carry to the happy issue, its now arrived at. Mr. Garvey who favors me with this inteligence, does not say, whether the Oil I had in the Diana, and paid this...
454[To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Boylston, 11 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Rouen, 11 Nov. 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 13 Nov. 1785. Not found. This letter possibly enclosed Boylston’s proposals to TJ, which TJ in turn transmitted to Lafayette (see under 13 Nov. 1785); it was on 9 Nov. that Boylston wrote John Adams: “I have stated some proposals and laid ’em before the Marquis De Fiat and Mr. Jefferson to be introduced to the minister” (MHi: AMT). See TJ to...
455[To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Boylston, 10 February 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Rouen, 10 Feb. 1786 . Recorded in SJL as received 12 Feb. 1786. Not found.]
456To Thomas Jefferson from A. E. Van Braam Houckgeest, 10 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Charleston, S. C., 10 Apr. 1787 . In March of 1786, he sent from Charleston, on his brig, Amitié , Capt. Peray, among other things, three leather bundles and a small cask of snuff from Brazil which he bought in Charleston, not knowing that it was contraband in France; on arriving at Bordeaux the captain had all of the cargo unloaded, thereby proving that he had no intention of smuggling. The...
457To Thomas Jefferson from De Brahm, 9 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John Rutledge Junr. of Charleston, whom I had the great Pleasure of seeing here a little While, about seven Months ago, directed me to send my Letters &c. for him to your Excellency, who would be pleased to forward them further; I therefor take the Liberty of addressing you this with the Request to forward it to him. It contains besides my Letter, ten Plans of Battles of the sevenyears...
458To Thomas Jefferson from Brailsford & Morris, 10 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 17th. July last has been sometime past received, and should have been replyed to before, had anything material occurred to have communicated. Our Speculations in Rice to the address of Messrs. Berards of L’Orient proved unprofitable, owing we conceive to some mismanagement on the part of the Agent of those Gentlemen at Havre de Grace, where the Rice was sent, as they did not...
459To Thomas Jefferson from Brailsford & Morris, 17 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Charlestown, S.C., 17 Mch. 1788 . Enclose a bill for 726 livres tournois, drawn by the French consul, Petry, on Petry at Paris, subject to the order of the Agricultural Society; it is intended for purchase of “Olive, and other Fruit trees”; have written Bérard asking him to remit £300 to TJ for the use of John Rutledge, Jr. RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; at foot of text in TJ’s hand: “bill accepted May 30....
460To Thomas Jefferson from Brailsford & Morris, 31 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Our friend Mr. E. Rutledge, having been so obliging as to indulge us with the perusal of your Letter addressed to him on the subject of our Produce, and at the same time enclosing the Proposals of Messrs. Berard & Co. declaring the terms on which they are enclined to encourage a preference of our Consignments: we cannot but feel ourselves sensibly indebted to your Excellency for your...
461To Thomas Jefferson from Brailsford & Morris, 10 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Charleston, 10 Jan. 1788 . Hope TJ has received their letter of 31 Oct. 1787 and its enclosures from John and Edward Rutledge and Ralph Izard; in accordance with that letter, have shipped “1000 Tierces” of rice to L’Orient on the Henrietta , Capt. Wickes, addressed to Bérard & Cie., of which 250 bbls. were shipped for a friend in Philadelphia and not under their direction. As Bérard & Cie. are...
462To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Bréhan, 1 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have suffered, Sir, a great contrariety not to be able to keep the engagement which I had taken with you, to give you, at our arrival, an account of our passage, which has been long and tedious. I have had at every moment the painful thought that my Brother could not support the end of the voyage. He is arrived in a pitiful state, and nevertheless has been recover’d. As to me I was tolerably...
463To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Bréhan, [ca. September 1787?] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris , ca. Sep. 1787? ] Accepts TJ’s invitation “for Monday”; if it is a family affair “the satisfaction shall be greater”; wishes she could speak English “the whole time” but in spite of her efforts TJ will find “very little progress”; hopes some months in America will help her; in the meantime, she will avail herself of TJ’s lessons if he will give her any so that she may carry on a...
464To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Bréhan, 22 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The moment shall come very soon, Sir, which must take and carry us in your happy Country. I have but a regret—’tis that we cannot take you with us, but perhaps you will come soon. It is an hope that I will keep preciously. You have given me, Sir, a promise to write to me. Don’t forget it I pray you and receive the adieux of one who knows how to value your merite and your friendship. Will you...
465To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Bréhan, 3 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read with great pleasure, Sir, the book that you have been so good as to lend to me. I take the first opportunity to send it back to you with many thanks, by the Vicount de Beaumont just return’d from North America. We are here without hope that the winds are disposed to change. I begin to lose all patience; it is a great contrariety to be so detain’d in this tedious town, when we...
466To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Bréhan and Moustier, 29 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Since a long time, Sir, I wish’d to find an opportunity to recall myself to your remembrance, but our travels into the interior part of your country, the suppression of our packets, the want of information when some vessels were going to France (for the most time we learn it at the very moment of their departure;) all these reasons have deprived me of the pleasure of giving you new assurances...
467To Thomas Jefferson from J. Louis Brethoux, 21 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
C’est un peu tard reconnoitre à Votre Excellence Les bontés qu’Elle nous a témoigné pendant notre Séjour à Paris. Les mauvais tems que nous avons eu à L’époque de notre départ, et pendant notre route, découragèrent beaucoup La Santé de ma femme; elle fut obligée de s’arrêter à Lyon, où Elle se remit en Etat de continuer sa marche, elle arriva Icy fort faible; à peine fut elle remise Qu’Elle a...
468To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Bridgen, 17 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope that your Excellency will have the goodness to pardon the liberty I take in requesting the favour of [your] Excellency to present, from the Author, this small book to the Queen of France; as it in a degree appertains to the Imperial family and more particularly to her Majesty’s Brother the Emperor? But if your Excellency should, after perusing it, see any impropriety in it, the Author...
469To Thomas Jefferson from Jean François Briet, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eu l’honneur d’écrire à Son Excellençe le 15 Court. relativement à Mr. Peter Dischong, et elle apprendra directement de Nantes par mon ami à qui j’ai écris le même jour, de quel païs il est natif. Mais comme j’apprends aujourd’hui que Mgr. de Calonne vient d’ordonner la restitution de la Marchandise suivant et Conformément à l’ordonnançe qu’avait rendu Mr. L’Intendant de la provinçe, mais...
470To Thomas Jefferson from Jean François Briet, 15 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçû la Lettre que Son Excellençe, m’à fait l’honneur de m’adresser le 11 Courant par laquelle Je vois avec beaucoup de plaisir qu’elle daigne s’intéresser à la saisie des 3 Ballots Nankins appartenant à Mr. Peter Dischong à philadelphie, et que préalablement avant de s’expliquer avec Mgr. Le Contrôleur général, il fallait que Son Excellence sache de quel pays Mr. Peter Dischong est...
471To Thomas Jefferson from Jean François Briet, 6 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Je prends la Liberté de récommander à Son Excellençe, une affaire qui Regarde sa Nation. J’ai achetté pour Compte de Mr. Peter Dischong à philadelphie, une partie de 854. pièces Nankins qui fûrent saisis dans les magazins du Sr. LeChene en cette ville, par les Emploïés de la Ferme générale, parcequ’ils supposaient qu’on voulait les faire Entrer par fraude dans le Royaume. Son Excellence verra...
472To 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...
473To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Brionne, 31 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mad. La Comtesse de Brionne fait mille complimens à Monsieur de Jefferson, elle est arrivée de la campagne et doit repartir mercredy; dans cet interval, il lui seroit bien essentiel d’avoir l’honneur de voir Monsieur de Jefferson; l’obligeance avec laquelle il a bien voulu lui répondre confirme sa confiance. Elle lui demande donc de vouloir bien lui faire dire quel Jour et à quelle heure, elle...
474To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 25 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Je vous remercie bien sincerement des instructions que vous avès bien voulu me donner pour Le tabac, et Je vous fais passer ci inclus La gazette americaine que vous desirès. J’avois dessein de faire usage de la Lettre qu’on vous y prete; mais puisqu’elle n’est ni autentique ni exacte, Je vous aurois une grande obligation de m’en faire passer une copie avec Les Corrections. Je m’en servirois...
475To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, with Enclosure, 8 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
C’est autant à l’ami de l’humanité, qu’au digne representant d’une grande confédération Républicaine, que je prens la liberté d’adresser par ordre de la Société Gallo-Américaine, le prospectus qui annonce son existence et ses principes. Le but de cet établissement nous est un sur garant de la faveur que vous voudrés bien lui accorder. Nous la reclamerons quelquefois, afin de nous mettre à...
476[To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 23 November 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Orléans, 23 Nov. 1786. Recorded in SJL as received 24 Nov. 1786. Not found.]
477To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 30 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 30 Dec. 1787 . Sends a letter to be forwarded to Crèvecoeur with the mail TJ is sending by the next packet to America. Has been busy since he returned from London and has, therefore, been unable to see TJ; will see him as soon as he is free. After the following Tuesday his address will be “ No. 11. rue St. Nicaise. ” RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; in French; endorsed. Not recorded in SJL . The...
478To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, with Enclosure, 3 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai L’honneur de Vous adresser ci Joint Les questions sur les fonds publics des Etats unis dont je Vous ai parlé. Vous m’avés fait esperer, ainsi que M. decrevecoeur, que Vous pourriés en Vous adressant au treasury Board du Congrès nous procurer une reponse complete et exacte sur tous Les points. Cette reponse est singulierement importante pour fonder le credit des Etats unis, et Je ne doute...
479To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, [26 December 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
M. Le Marquis du Crest etoit sur le point d’aller au rendès vous que vous aviés bien voulu lui indiquer, Lorsqu’une affaire pressante et Imprevue, L’a forcé de rester. Il me Charge de vous en faire ses excuses, et de Vous temoigner tous ses regrets. Il aura L’honneur de Vous demander un autre Jour. Je profite de cette occasion pour Vous envoier Le Volume des transactions philosophiques de...
480To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 27 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
On ne peut pas trop tot mettre les fers au feu, Vu la Lenteur avec Laquelle Les afaires s’expedient ici. D’après La conversation que J’ai eue L’honneur d’avoir avec Vous, et une autre que J’ai eue ensuite avec M. de Crevecoeur, J’ai determiné M. Le Marquis du Crest à choisir pour Le Prince un Ingenieur qui allat à Honfleur. Mais Il faut que Les Americains aient un representant à cette visite...
481To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 10 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Nous croirions Vous Manquer, Mr. Claviere et moi, et trahir la cause de L’humanité, si, formant ici une Société pour L’abolition de La traite des Nègres à L’Instar de celle de Londres, Nous ne Vous faisions pas part de cette entreprise, et si nous ne vous invitions pas à concourir à ce projet par Votre appui et Vos Lumières. Nous avons fixé à Mardi prochain La 1ère. assemblée dont L’objet est...
482To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 11 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Nous ne pouvons qu’applaudir aux Motifs qui Vous empêchent de Vous rendre à Notre invitation, et nos regrets diminuent un peu en pensant que Votre opinion est la même que La Nôtre, et que Vous La Seconderés par les moiens qui ne compromettront point Votre caractère public et ce que Vous devés au corps respectable dont vous êtes L’organe. Je suis avec respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très...
483To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 10 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Craignant que vous n’aiés besoin de vos Lois de la Virginie pendant mon sejour à Orléans, et ne pouvant m’occuper de L’extrait que je veux en faire, et en publier dans mon ouvrage, Je prens le parti de vous le renvoier, en me reservant de Vous le redemander à mon retour. Je me suis trouvé à diner aujourdhui avec Messrs. Desaint et Brack directeurs des traites foraines à La douane, dont le...
484To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 19 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Une dame de ma Connoissance, L’Epouse de Colonel La Terriere maintenant etabli à philadelphie, desireroit rejoindre son Mari par un Vaisseau qui partiroit en Juin du havre. Je Lui ai parlé de Votre depart prochain. Seroit il possible qu’elle put s’embarquer sur le Navire qui Vous transportera? Ou bien connoissés Vous d’autres Vaisseaux? Je vous serai obligé de me repondre sur ces deux...
485To Thomas Jefferson from Madame Brissot de Warville, 14 July [1788] (Jefferson Papers)
Arnouville près Gonesse, 14 July [ 1788 ]. Asks TJ to forward by a safe hand the enclosed letter to her husband. RC ( DLC ). Enclosure not found.
486To Thomas Jefferson from Brizard, 26 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Voici L’Eloge d’un ami de la Liberté, d’un Deffenseur des Moeurs et de la Vertu, d’un Excellent Citoyen qui n’est point inconnu dans le Nouveau Monde, dont Vous êtes le digne representant; c’est à ce Titre que J’ose vous en offrir L’Hommage. J’espere que dans ce que J’ai dit de L’ouvrage de Mabli sur Les Etats Unis vous ne verrez que mon admiration pour ceux qui ont fondé La Liberté de...
487To Thomas Jefferson from Migneron de Brocqueville, 10 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
La protection Distinguée que vous accordés aux Arts, m’encourage à prier votre Excellence D’accepter un mémoire que j’ai l’honneur de lui envoier cy inclus, qui contient La description d’un Pont et d’un petit hopital que j’ai construit ici en Bois amelioré et ceintré suivant mon nouveau Sistême. Ces deux premiers essais annoncent de quelle utilité peuvent être mes découvertes pour la...
488To Thomas Jefferson from James I. Brossier, 10 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 10 Feb. 1789 .There being no American consul at Le Havre, a merchant performs the functions without being authorized to do so. Brossier requests appointment as consul through medium “d’un principal commis du Bureau des grains en faveur du quel Mr. Dela fayette est disposé à s’intéresser pour moi dans cette demande.” Asks who is now American consul general in France; requests TJ’s...
489To Thomas Jefferson from Broucq, Frères & Soeurs, 10 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
St. Omer, 10 May 1788 . Forwarded yesterday from Coffyn of Dunkerque by “le voiturier nommé louis Lehieu d’angre Liévin en Artois 4 caisses T◆J plombées et cordées,” weighing about 247 ℔., containing young plants or foreign shrubs, to be delivered in ten days. Total costs for voiturier , Coffyn, and themselves, 23₶ 18s. RC ( DLC ).
490To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown, 10 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 28th May came to hand a few days ago for which accept my warmest Acknowledgements. I am well convinced of the Justness of your remarks respecting the importance of strengthening and maintaining the connection between the District of Kentucky and the Maritime States: During my residence in that Country it was my constant care to cultivate that Idea But I am sorry to inform you...
491To 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...
492To Thomas Jefferson from James Buchanan and William Hay, 18 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 15th. June came duely to hand, and we return you our warmest acknowledgements for undertaking in so obliging a manner to aid the Directors of the public buildings in procuring plans and estimates. Your ideas upon the subject are perfectly corresponding to those of the Directors, respecting the stile and Ornaments proper for such a work, and we trust the plans will be...
493To Thomas Jefferson from Buffon, 31 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
M. de Buffon fait bien des remercimens à Monsieur Jefferson de la peau de l’animal qu’il a eu la bonté de lui envoyer. Si sa santé lui permettoit, M. de Buffon auroit l’honneur d’aller lui témoigner sa reconnoissance, mais comme il ne peut sortir, il espère que Monsieur Jefferson voudra bien venir avec M. de Chastelux diner au Jardin Tel jour qu’il leur conviendra. Ce Cougar de Pensilvanie ne...
494To Thomas Jefferson from Buffon, 27 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
J’aurois Répondu plutot à la Lettre que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’écrire, sans ma Santé qui n’est pas aussi bonne que celle de M. Francklin; car je vois par sa signature au bas du titre que vous avés eu la bonté de m’envoyer, qu’il se porte très bien. J’écrirai incessament à cet illustre président de la société philosophique amèricaine, pour le prier de recevoir et de faire agréer à ces...
495[To Thomas Jefferson from Buffon, 27 March 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Jardin du Roi, Paris, 27 Mch. 1787 . Recorded in SJL as received 3 May 1787 at Aix-en-Provence. Not found.]
496To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Burney, 20 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Few things have given me more concern than the not being able sooner to give you a satisfactory account of the Harpsichord and its Machinery, which I had the honour to bespeak for you, last Summer. I visited Kirkman from time to time whenever I came to town, and saw the Instrument in every stage of its construction. The wood was chosen with great care; the Lid is solid, as you desired, and no...
497To Thomas Jefferson from David Bushnell, [13] October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In the latter part of the year, one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, I received a letter from Colonel David Humphreys, and soon after, another from Doctor Ezra Stiles, President of Yale College, in Connecticut, informing me, that your Excellency desired an account of my submarine vessel, and the experiments which I had made. At the time I received those letters, I was seized with a...
498To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Cain, 17 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Being obliged to trouble you on the present occasion, you will please excuse the liberty I take. A bounty existing in this country on wheat imported from America, by producing a Clearance sign’d by the naval Officer of the Port; entitles the proprietor to said bounty, on producing said document to prove its being the produce of the United States. Having the command of the Ship Marquis de la...
499To Thomas Jefferson from Calonne, 22 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
L’intention du Roi etant, [Monsieur,] de favoriser autant qu’il est possible le commerce des Etats unis, j’ai l’honneur de vous faire part de quelques dispositions prises a cet egard. Par ma Lettre du 9 Janvier 1784 a M. Le Marquis de la Fayette, je lui annonçois qu’au lieu de deux ports francs promis par le traité aux Etats unis, le Roi s’etoit determiné a leur en accorder quatre, [ce qui...
500No. 8., 22 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
[Text of Calonne to TJ, 22 Oct. 1786, here omitted (see Vol. 10: 474–6). In addition to texts cited there, an English translation is in DLC: TJ Papers, 60: 10441–6 (PrC in Blackwell’s hand except for “No. 8.” inserted by TJ at head of text) and also in DNA: RG 59, Record of Reports of Thomas Jefferson.]