Address of Welcome of the Virginia Senate, 8 December 1789
Address of Welcome of the Virginia Senate
Sir
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 your Counsel in the particular exertions for the good of this Commonwealth; and they have no other gratification in the loss of you, than that their Brethren in the Union will participate of your abilities and virtues, and that you are again called to fill a Post in which you may be engaged in a manner suitable to your talents, and do honor to the Country in which you were born and bred.
RC (DLC); in the hand of Humphrey Brooke; on verso: “In the Senate Tuesday December 8th. 1789 Resolved that a Committee be appointed to congratulate Thomas Jefferson, Esquire late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the Court of Versailles, on his return to his native Country, and to assure him of the esteem which this House bears for his character and public services. And a Committee was appointed of Mr. [Hugh] Nelson, Mr. [Stevens T.] Mason, Mr. [James] Taylor and Mr. [John Scarsbrook] Wills. Extract from the Journal. Test H: Brooke C S.” This resolution is printed in the Journal of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Oct. 1789, 1828 edn., p. 49, where John Gordon is also included in the committee.
Nelson reported for the committee on 9 Dec. 1789 (same, p. 54–5).