From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 17 May 1786
To William Stephens Smith
Paris May 17. 1786.
Dear Sir
Monsieur de Tronchin, minister for the republic of Geneva at this court, having a son at this time in London, I take the liberty of introducing him to your acquaintance. A respect for the father induces me to this liberty, together with an assurance that the son merits it. He is young and may need a monitor, who, with the gay, may mix the serious, when it becomes necessary to keep him out of harm’s way. I have assured the father you will be useful to him in this way, having seen myself that you are always willing to serve others. I pray you to take him by the hand and to be his friend as much as you shall find him to deserve. I wish Mr. Trumbull could also be made acquainted with him and could find means to attach him. The father is a great amateur in painting, has a very capital collection of paintings, is much acquainted with the professors of that art here, and may be very useful to Mr. Trumbul when he comes here, bringing with him a letter of recommendation from the son. I am my dear Sir with very great esteem Your friend & servt,
Th: Jefferson
RC (G. G. Imbert, Paris, 1950); endorsed, in part: “ansr. 29th Jany. 87.” PrC (DLC). Noted in SJL as sent “by M. Tronchin.”