From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 20 September 1786
To Charles Thomson
Paris The 20 Septemr 1786
Sir
This will be handed you by a Gentleman of the Family of Lecoutoux who is going with his wife to Settle himself as a farmer in Someone of the middle States of America. As his Establishment will not be great, it is the more important that it be judiciously made. Being acquainted with his family, they have asked of me lettres of recommendations for him. Knowing no person better acquainted than yourself with the middlestates and with all the Circumstances and difficulties with1 Surround a new Settler, nor any one more disposed to perform those duties of humanity which we all owe the one to the other, I take the Libertey of introducing him to you, and praying that you will aid him with your information and Counsel, which I Shall Consider as an obligation Conferred on me. A dishability of my right hand which I hope will not be of Long Continuance obliges me to avail myself of the pen of another to assure you of the Sincere esteem and Friendship with which I have the honour to be dear Sir Your Most Obedient Most humble Servant,
Th: Jefferson
RC (DLC: Thomson Papers); in an unidentified hand, probably that of a Frenchman and possibly that of the person in whose behalf the letter was written (see note 1). PrC (DLC: TJ Papers); endorsed by TJ with his right hand.
Lecoutoux: On 8 Sep. 1786 Le Veillard wrote to William Temple Franklin: “One M. Le Coulteux is to settle in Pennsylvania. He is bringing out a young woman whom he has just married. She is the daughter of M. Clouet, custodian of the powder magazine, collector of taxes of Paris, and very intimate with M. Dailley” (Franklin Papers, PPAP).
1. Thus in MS; TJ plainly intended “which.”