Memorandums to Henry Remsen, 31 August 1790
Memorandums to Henry Remsen
[…]1 [fur]niture and servant arrive from Paris, either here or at Philadelphia, I will thank Mr. Remsen to do for me whatever may be necessary. If they arrive here, they may proceed to Philadelphia with the other things. Colo. Hamilton sais no duties will be demandeable for my furniture arriving. The servant with them will have an invoice to shew whether there is any thing but furniture.
The removal to be so as that every thing may be in Philadelphia by the 25th. of October, unless I direct otherwise from Philadelphia, from whence I will write as to the house they are to be deposited in.
I do not think it material to lay up wood before November.
I have nothing to do with the papers of the court of Appeals.
I am of opinion that the public papers, which, on account of their being originals, we do not trust by sea, will go as safely and with less injury by water to Amboy, thence to Bordentown by land, thence to Philadelphia by water, as they would by land altogether.
The 2½dozen green chairs to be sent to Richmond by Carey if he comes, or any other conveyance. They are to be addressed to Mr. James Brown merchant Richmond, for me. He will pay the freight. If no conveyance occurs, they may go with the other things to Philadelphia.
Th: Jefferson
Aug. 31. 1790.
P.S. Mr. Remsen is desired to pay my servants Francis and Matthew 8½ dollars each on the last day of September.
MS (Facsimile in Charles Hamilton, Catalogue No. 57, 20 Apr. 1972, Lot 175); entirely in TJ’s hand; consists of second page only, with extracts from first page supplied from catalogue (see note 1 below); at head of text according to catalogue: “Memorandum.”
This document was elicited by Memoranda from Remsen, [ca. 30 Aug. 1790], in Vol. 17: 379–81. Adrien Petit, the servant TJ expected to arrive from Paris with his furniture, actually reached the United States in July 1791 (TJ to William Short, 12 Mch., 6 Apr. 1790; note to Short to TJ, 7 Nov. 1790; , 19 July 1791).
According to an account George Taylor, Jr., submitted to Remsen on TJ’s behalf, the removal from New York included “7 Loads” of TJ’s furniture that were transported from the wharf in Philadelphia to his new house at Market Street on 14 Oct. 1790 at a cost of 16/4 New York currency (MS in MHi; in Taylor’s hand and signed by him; endorsed by Remsen). For Remsen’s reimbursement by TJ for this amount, which included the cartage of other goods, see Remsen’s Account of Moving Expenses, [25 Nov. 1790].
1. First page missing; the catalogue, describing it as including instructions for forwarding newspapers and mail, gives the following extracts on other subjects: “I do not know yet whether Matthew goes. With respect to Okie the doorkeeper, he may be told that the office is to be at my own house in Philadelphia, & consequently it would not be convenient for me to have a doorkeeper with a family.”
“The office should be given up … if a tenant should offer for my house, my furniture must be removed to the office. If that also be let, ware-room somewhere must be hired.”
“The letter of credit I leave for Mr. Remsen on the treasury will authorise him to receive, of my salary, what must pay … the expense.” The “letter of credit” is TJ to Alexander Hamilton, 30 Aug. 1790.