1William Short to John Jay, 30 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of receiving yesterday your letter of Octob. the 13th. by Count de Moustier who arrived here five or six days ago. The letter for the King, the duplicate of the consular convention, and papers accompanying this letter were delivered me at the same time. I shall put the letter for the King into the hands of the Minister to-morrow. The consular convention which had been also...
2To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 30 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed letter (which was left for you at the Office of Foreign Affairs when I made a journey to the Eastern States) the motives on which I acted with regard to yourself, and the occasion of my explaining them at that early period. Having now reason to hope from Mr. Trumbulls report that you will be arrived at Norfolk before this time (on which event I would most...
3To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, [1 December 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
I am just inform’d of Your Arrival and that You are expected in Richmond. I am confined to my Bed but that shall not prevent me from being among the first to congratulate You on your Return to Your Native Land, because I do it in sincerity. I am told You came by way of London. I hope You receiv’d a Packet from me at that Place (tho’ I rather imprudently made it an object with a Boat Man at...
4Jefferson’s Reply to the Address of Welcome of the Virginia House of Delegates, [7–9 December 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
I receive with humble gratitude, Gentlemen, the congratulations of the honorable the H. of Delegates on my return: And I beg leave thro’ you to present them my thanks and dutiful respects. Could any circumstance heighten my affection to my native country, it would be the indulgence with which they view my feeble efforts to serve it and the esteem with which they are pleased to honour me. I...
5Address of Welcome of the Virginia Senate, 8 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
As your merits led to your appointment of Minister Plenipotentiary to one of the first Courts in Europe, under the late American Congress, so the Senate of Virginia, impressed with a high sense of them, are induced to congratulate you on your return into the bosom of your native Country. Their satisfaction would have been increased by this circumstance, if they could have hoped for the Aid of...
6Jefferson’s Reply to the Address of Welcome of the Virginia Senate, [9 December 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
I am filled with sentiments of the warmest gratitude by this very distinguished attention from the honorable the Senate. The visit to my native country, a pleasing event in itself, is rendered infinitely more so, by the welcome of so respectable a member of the sovereignty, and by the esteem they condescend to express for me personally. My faculties, such as they are, too poor indeed to be...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 10 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall make a statement of my account with Mr. Mazzei, as soon as I return home; and will forward it to you. The encyclopedie I think a bargain, and shall retain it with pleasure. When we meet in N. York, I will pay you the price; stated in your late favor. I thank you for the map; and shall send the other maps, with two catgut battledores, to Mr. Donald. The senate have disagreed to the 3d....
8To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Zarisnÿ, 10 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Perméttée que le nomée joseph Zarisnÿ Eée lhonner de representére a son Excellance que je ne suis pas satisfet dune cource que jee fet de dunkérque a paris Est de mes gagee de cette campagne. Josse vous Ecrire monseignere osix hardimant comme jee montree ma figure aux anglést parceque je ne vous En inposse pas. Jene repétte pas mes service perconne nas ignoree notre bravoure. Jene me lourée...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Cyrus Griffin, 11 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
After coming with much expedition from N York I was greatly mortified at your departure from this place only some hours before I could reach the Town. I ardently wished in person to congratulate your safe arrival; and again to renew that pleasing friendship with which you once honored me. I had also the enclosed letter in charge from the President of the united States to deliver to your...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Cyrus Griffin, 11 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of to-day, and thank you for your care of the letter which accompanied it. I am sincerely sorry that I had not the pleasure of seeing you at Richmond, and of renewing to you vivâ voce the assurances of friendship and attachment which I have long entertained for you. With respect to the office I hold at present and that newly proposed to me, the indulgence of the...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Skipwith, 11 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Fulwar Skipwith informed me at Richmond that you would be there to-day, and that he supposed you would return by this place on Monday. I propose to leave this about Tuesday, and to have the pleasure of visiting Hors du monde on my way up. But as it is essential we should be together, and I find that Mr. Eppes will hardly consent to go from home, I take the liberty of begging you to come by...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Carter, 12 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Finding that Mr. Eppes has made no purchase of horses for me, the bearer comes for those you were so kind as to offer me. Thinking it almost certain that they will suit me from what I hear of them, I send you enclosed an order on Mr. Donald for £60. which will be paid at sight: only be so good as to keep it up till Tuesday evening, because if, contrary to my expectations, the horses should not...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Delamotte, 12 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope this will find you and the Ladies safe return’d home, the news of which will give me great pleasure. Mr. Cutting having left this place soon after your Excellency embark’d, he transfer’d to me the care of assisting American Captains in obtaining from the Farm, Salt to Ballast or fully load their Vessels, to be delivered in Honfleur; my house intending to dispatch Some Ships for America...
14Enclosure: Farmers-General to Chalon, 18 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Vous nous faites part, Monsieur, par votre Lettre du 10. De ce mois de la demande qui vous a été faite par M. de La Motte Négociant de Votre Ville relativement à L’Armement de plusieurs Navires François qu’il se propose d’expédier pour aller chercher des Grains dans L’Amérique Septentrionale. Vous nous marquez que c’est ce Négociant qui a été chargé par M. de Jefferson de vous présenter les...
15To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 12 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives me great Pleasure to address a Letter to you in our own country. Being informed of your having sailed, the Storm a few weeks ago rendered us apprehensive that you might be at least embarrassed on the coast.—I congratulate you very sincerely on your arrival, and join in the general wish that you may consent to remain among us, in the Station to which during your absence and without...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Richard O’Bryen, 12 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Algiers, 12 Dec. 1789. “In December 1789, There are in Algiers 2 Masters at the Dey’s Price 12,000 Dollars 2 Mates at 4,000 Dollars each 8,000 11 Marines at 1500 Dollars each 16,500 Dollars 36,500 20 p.Ct. [i.e., 5%] a Duty on Slaves 1,825 agreeable to the Dey’s price in 1786, the cost is 38,325 A Mr: Joseph Cowen Bockerie the principal Jew merchant of Algiers assures me that he will engage,...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Carter, 13 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable with your request, I have deliver’d the Horses to Mr. Eppes’s Servant. He will leave the Hundred early in the morning, and easily reach Eppington before Night. You will be pleased to take or refuse them as you think proper. I shall be perfectly satisfied either way. You may if you please, drive them in the Neighbourhood on Tuesday, and if you don’t approve of them, Let the Boy lead...
18From Thomas Jefferson to William B. Giles, 13 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 9th on the subject of the hire of my servant, but as my stay in Virginia will be too short to intermeddle with my affairs I must beg the favor of you to do in the matter as you would have done had I not returned.—I take the liberty of asking information from you, if you know who are the executors or administrators of the late young Mr. John Bannister, as I...
19From Thomas Jefferson to William B. Giles, 1[3] December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Some two or three years ago. a Monsr. de Vernon of Paris applied to me to know how he might recover some property which he had in the hands of a Mr. Marck of Petersburg. I advised him to appoint an attorney here, and to furnish him with his proofs, and recommended the late Colo. Bannister. He did so. Colo. Bannister undertook the business, and I inclose you two letters he wrote me, containing...
20To Thomas Jefferson from William B. Giles, 13 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment honord with your very polite favor of this morning, inclosing sundry papers the purport of which I have attentively examined. I have made inquiries of some of my Friends of this town who were with me at the Receipt of your favor, respecting Mr. Mark’s situation in life and from their advice have reason to apprehend that Monsr. de Vernon may repent the confidence, he hath...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Platt, 14 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received from my friend Major E. Haskell, your Excellency’s Certificate, of which the inclosed is a Copy, Observing with pleasure your safe arrival in Virginia, and apprehending it will be some considerable time, before your coming on to this place; I take the liberty of requesting the favor of you to transmit me the Certificates by Post, under cover either to the Chief Justice of the...
22From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 14 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter was written to you on our coming to anchor. Since that my time has been divided between travelling and the society of my friends, and I avail myself of the first vacant interval to give you the news of the country to which therefore I shall proceed without further prelude. Marriages. Ben. Harrison of Brandon to a daughter of Mrs. Byrd. Doctor Currie to a widow Ingles, daughter...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Donald, 15 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I sincerely hope that this letter will find you safe arrived at Monticello. I have been told that you had sent for Mr. Carter’s horses. I therefore lay my account with your drawing acquaintance, James Brown (who has the sole management of my business) in favour of that Gentleman for Sixty Pounds, which you may assure yourself will meet due honour. I herewith send you a letter from Mr. Edmund...
24From Thomas Jefferson to John Dunbar, 15 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having a small matter of business with the estate of the late Mr. Bannister the younger, and being informed that no person has as yet qualified to administer on his estate, but that in the mean time you are so kind as to attend to it, I take the liberty of addressing myself to you, hoping, if I have been misinformed, you will be so good as to put my letter into the proper hands. When Mr....
25William Short to John Jay, 15 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I make use of a private conveyance which presents itself to send to you though by a circuitous route, the gazettes of France and Leyden, the journals of the national assembly, and some other papers which I have thought might be agreeable to you. The two first will present a very accurate idea of the present state of politics in Europe as low as they come. But information of a later date from...
26From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received at this place the honour of your letters of Oct. 13 and Nov. 30. and am truly flattered by your nomination of me to the very dignified office of Secretary of state: for which permit me here to return you my humble thanks. Could any circumstance seduce me to overlook the disproportion between it’s duties and my talents it would be the encouragement of your choice. But when I...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 17 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you the letter to Mr. Wythe. We arrived here safely last night in eight hours and a half from your house, having been obliged by the lateness of our departure to come rather brisker than we would have chosen. However the horses were perfectly well after it. We had got everything over the river before day light shut in. The girls are well except as to their colds which are much the...
28To Thomas Jefferson from William Temple Franklin, 17 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Amidst the Congratulations of Public Bodies on your Arrival will you receive those of an Individual, who has long entertained the highest Esteem for your Character, as a Man, a Philosopher, and a Statesman. Permit me also felicitate you on your late honorable Appointment, tho’ I am not certain you will accept of it; but this I know, that if you do, I shall in common with my Countrymen rejoice...
29From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 17 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend Mr. Eppes is informed that his son’s situation at the college, by subjecting him to attendance on certain courses of lectures, withdraws him from the pursuit of what you might recommend preferably. But his first wish being that his son should follow implicitly what you would be so good as to recommend, he does not hesitate to decide on his quitting the college, and boarding in such a...
30To Thomas Jefferson from James Brown, 21 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Sundrys ⅌ the Waggons No. 1. 1. 3. 11. 21. 22. 23B. 38. 40.B 41. 4.B 10J. 14B 37B. A Large Trunk A Middle Sized Do. A Small Do. A Portmanteau A Case of Hats Two Yams 4 Loaves Sugar A Cask containing 1 Cheese 23½ ℔. @ ⅙ £1.5.3 1 Pound Tea 17/6 17.6 6 ℔. Chocolate ⅓
31To Thomas Jefferson from Béthune-Charost, 22 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
La marque de Confiance, Monsieur, qui vient de vous être accordée, est la juste récompense de vos travaux et de vos vertus. Personne ici n’en est Surpris, et je ne Serai point étonné d’apprendre un jour qu’Elle n’a Surpris que Vous. Il S’élève à ce moment un nouvel Etat en Europe, dont les rapports Commerciaux peuvent devenir fort importans pour les Etats Unis. Me permettriez-vous, Monsieur,...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Sarly, 22 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
As the Commander of an American Ship I feel it a Duty incumbant on me to Inform you of any Circumstances which may affect the Dignity or Honour of my Country in this Quarter of the Glo[be]. And as it has been my study during my Abscence to Support the character of an American; I feel the Insult offered to our Colours with double force by Foreigners wearing them without the smallest title to...
33William Short to John Jay, 22 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last I mentioned the retreat of the Imperial troops from Brussels. The last accounts of General D’Alton who commands them are that he had arrived at Namur and after a short stay, left it in hopes of remaking Luxemburg. In this retreat through a part of the country known for its zeal in the opposition, the troops confined their hostilities to personal defences. Much the greater part...
34To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 25 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
This letter will go by the English packet and of course through the English post. I shall therefore confine the subject of it to such things as I am not unwilling should be read there. I did the same in a letter which I wrote three days ago to Mr. Jay, and shall continue it in that which will inclose this to you.—The plan of finance for relieving present exigencies is adopted. The foundation...
35William Short to John Jay, 26 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday from the Baron de Rieger Minister of Wirtemberg a paper which he enclosed to each of the corps diplomatique entitled ‘Observations pour la Serenissme Maison de Wirtemberg.’ It is a reclamation against the arretés of the national assembly of the 4th of August. Although I do not think it worth while to send you the observations by post, I have thought it my duty to mention...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Skipwith, 26 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Our voyage from Hoors du monde was pretty easy. I determined at Mrs. Carr’s to divide the remaining part equally into two days by coming to the Byrd ordinary. A wretched place indeed we found it: but we could not have got up by any other division without the danger of lying in the woods. From there we came with your horses 15. miles to the stone quarry where my waggon horses met us, and...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Augustine Davis, 28 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have enclosed you two letters by the post who rides to Albemarle, which he has promised to deliver safe. The postage amounts to 3/10. Be pleased to inform me in what manner you would wish to have your letters forwarded in future and I will be careful in sending them. The letter which you put into the hands of Mr. Johnson for the President of the United States, was forwarded to New York last...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Baptiste Petry, 30 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received but in August last the letter you honoured me with on the 21. August 1788. with the power of attorney of Count de Cambray therein inclosed. Your expected return in this Continent has made me postpone this answer to congratulate you upon your safe arrival and in the same time to assure you of the high regard and respect with which I have the honor to be Sir your Excellency’s The...
39Editorial Note: Notes on American Medals Struck in France (Jefferson Papers)
Among the several attributes of sovereignty that Congress assumed during the period of confederation was that of authorizing commemorative medals by which, in keeping with the practices of nations in all ages, public gratitude to exalted characters would be expressed, the virtues of patriotism inculcated, and the memory of great actions perpetuated. This was an undelegated authority, but the...
40I. David Humphreys to Thomas Jefferson, [4 April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
‘I have made no contracts for the other four , viz. for Genl. Washington’s on the evacuation of Boston, for Morgan, Washington and Howard on the affair of the Cowpens, because the designs for them have not been in readiness for execution until the present time. Nor can that for Genl. Morgan be commenced without farther information of the numbers killed, prisoners &c in the action to be...
41II. Memoranda Concerning Distribution, Cost, and Makers of Medals, [ca. February 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
S. C. S. C. S C 1 1. Denmark. 1 Spire 1. Norway 1 Hungary. 1. 1. Sweden. 1 1
42III. Jefferson’s Description of the Medals, [ca. February 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
Type. His head. Legend. Georgio Washington, supremo duci exercituum, adsertori libertatis, Comitia Americana . Reverse. The evacuation of Boston. The American army advancing in order towards the city seen at a distance. The enemy retires with precipitation to their vessels. On the foreground General Washington appears on horseback, in a groupe of officers, to whom he remarks the retreat of the...
43IV. Jefferson’s Notes on the History of the Medals, [ca. 8 July 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Congress voted medals to several officers and directed Rob. Morris their minister of finance to have them made. He authorized Colo. Humphreys to have this done in Europe. Colo. Humphreys had contracted for some of them, had made some paiments, and left the whole business to be finished by me. I made contracts for the rest, and the whole of those named in Mr. Morris’s list , were compleated and...
44William Short to John Jay, 2 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of inclosing and forwarding to you by a private conveyance the gazettes of France and Leyden together with the journals of the national assembly. I beg leave to refer you to them for the political news of Europe. They will be accompanied by the plan of finance lately adopted here and the instructions given by the assembly explanatory of the manner of forming the municipalities...
45From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 3 January 17[90] (Jefferson Papers)
I received duly your favor of Dec. 21. and with it the several articles noted to be sent therewith, except No. 1. a box of wine. I had observed in my memorandum that there were two No. 1s. and had desired both to be sent; and both are so marked in your letter: but the waggoners concurring in their declarations that one only was delivered, I am in hopes it was omitted by error, and that it may...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas B. Seabrook, 3 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your favor on the subject of the tobacco I owed to the late Mr. Marsden, I am to inform you that on my leaving the state I left my affairs in the hands of Colo. Nicholas Lewis, with a list of my debts among which this was then noted, as transferred to Mr. Coleman by an assignment of my note; and that on speaking now to Colo. Lewis he produces to me a voucher of the paiment of £90....
47From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Blair, 6 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Having never heard the name of the person who presented to me when last in Richmond an account for things brought from Williamsburg, for which I referred him to you to know if it was on public account, I can now only inform you that looking into the papers of account between Wyley and myself, I find his charge of £390. and £120. in two articles for ‘cash paid to Mr. Ramsbotham for bringing up...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Phineas Bond, 6 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 6 Jan. 1790 . Forwards a letter that came in his dispatches from England “by the last Mail.” RC ( DLC ); endorsed as received 2 Feb. 1790, and so recorded in SJL along with several other letters, none of which could have been the enclosure. It is curious that a letter from England should have come to TJ through the British consul: none originating there in preceding months seems...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Anderson Bryan, 6 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my return home I learn that the survey under my order of council adjoining Edgehill has been curtailed by a younger entry and survey of Mr. James Marks now assigned to Colo. Harvie. You remember my notifying my order of council to you on your first coming into office, my pressing you perpetually to survey it, our frequent searches for the old lines by which it was to be bounded, and...
50From Thomas Jefferson to John Paradise, 6 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On my arrival in Williamsburgh I had a meeting with Colo. Burwell and Mr. Wilkinson on your affairs. The state of them here, as given us by Mr. Wilkinson is as follows. Crop of tobacco of the growth of 1788. This being 28. hogsheads has been sent you by the Planter. You have none here of an earlier growth as you had supposed. Crop of the growth of 1789. There will be 18. hogsheads of tobacco...