Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to G. K. van Hogendorp, 20 November 1784

To G. K. van Hogendorp

Cul-de-sac Tetebout. Paris Nov. 20. 1784

Dear Sir

I expect you will have thought me inattentive to my promise of sending you the information you wished as to the state of New Hampshire; but the delay has not proceeded from that source. The first part of my time after my arrival here was necessarily occupied by the public business on which I came, and before this was got into a train I relapsed into that state of ill health in which you saw me in Annapolis, but more severe. I have had few hours wherein I could do any thing, and these were devoted of duty to public business. It is but lately I have been enabled to digest my papers, so as to make out for you the state you wished, which I now inclose.

I suppose from every appearance your part of Europe is on the verge of war. I have been anxious to know how you would dispose of yourself, for if I recollect rightly, you are a native of Holland but an officer in the Austrian service. I shall be glad always to hear from you. You will write from an interesting scene: while I shall have little to give you in exchange.

Those notes of mine on the state of Virginia which you saw when in America, I am about to print a few copies of here. I shall take the liberty of sending you one according to my promise.

I have the honor to be with great esteem Dr. Sir Your most obedt. and most humble servt,

Th: Jefferson

RC (Rijksarchief: Hogendorp Papers, The Hague). Enclosure (same) printed as Document VI in notes on commerce of northern states, June 1784. Hogendorp had asked TJ to submit information that he might receive in “New York Boston Portsmouth, &c.” in response to the queries set forth in his letter to TJ of 30 May 1784; but there is no evidence that TJ transmitted the data on any of the states except New Hampshire. Entry in SJL reads: “[Nov.] 20. Hogendorp. Inclosed information as to N. Hampsh.—promised copy Notes on Virga.”

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