Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Étienne Lemaire, 19 April 1804

From Étienne Lemaire

Washington Sity 19 avril, 1804

Monsieur,

Jé lhonneur de vous Saluer Et vôtre Respectable famille. Jespaire que la presente vous troúve une éureûse Sentez Ces ce que Je desire,—Je Recûe plusieur article Entr’aute Le Sidre, que je mi En Boutteille Bien, ficellé Et mi Entere a Vecque due gravié, il, Sera Bien exelleant Et d’une Belle Couleur;—Ébrenne a quiter vôtre Service ver, le 15. due Coureant pour aler abord une fregate. Croÿant mïeux fair, Cettoit un paûvre Suget,—Wilam de pui l’apsence de m’onsieur est tougour de or. Cela est Bien Redicul, que qu’ante des famille, Etranger, pâsse Et qu’il dimande a visiter la maison, D’ue president que Rarement le portiez Si trouve—ille Me Repond for, m’al, qu’ante je lui, fait quelque reproch Je voudroit être exant de ne me j’amais leur en faire aûcûne Mes Ces inpôssible—le frere de daugherty Se proposse D’e Renplacer, ÉBrenne, il, m’a l’air Bien N’aufes mais Cependent avec, la Bonne volontez il, promet de fair Ce qu’il pourra. Je le Croit un Bon garcon Bien, tranqu’il, Et honnête. toute la famille Se porte Bien,—Monsieur je vous prie de recevoir Mes Respecque a Sai dâmes, Et mesieurs je fini avec Sincer atachemente, votre tres, afectionné, Serviteur

Et Lemaire

Editors’ Translation

Washington, 19 Apr. 1804

Dear Sir,

I have the honor of greeting you and your esteemed family. I hope this letter finds you in good health; that is my wish for you. I have received several goods, including the cider, which I bottled, securely tied, and placed in rocky soil. It will be excellent, with a fine color. Abraham resigned around the 15th of the month to board a frigate, thinking this would be better for him. He was a mediocre worker. Since you left, William is always out. It is preposterous that when families come and ask to visit the President’s House, the porter is rarely there. He answers rudely when I criticize him. I would prefer not to have to criticize the staff, but that is not possible. Dougherty’s brother has asked to replace Abraham. He seems a little slow-witted to me, but is full of good will and promises to do what he can. I think he is a nice lad, good, calm, and honest. The family is in good health.

Please accept, Sir, my respect for those around you. I conclude with my sincere attachment.

Your devoted servant,

Et Lemaire

RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

Lemaire bottled eight barrels of New Jersey cider (sidre); see TJ to John Condit, 14 Apr., and Barnes to TJ, 20 Apr.

ébrenne: Abraham Golden had received $12 per month in wages plus a $2 drink allowance. He was replaced in September by John Pernier. William Fitzjames, hired by Lemaire in 1802, remained on the President’s House staff until 1807. Coachman Joseph Dougherty’s brother Robert was hired in 1807 after Pernier left to work for Meriwether Lewis (Lucia Stanton, “‘A Well-Ordered Household’: Domestic Servants in Jefferson’s White House,” White House History, 17 [Winter 2006], 6, 8, 21, 23n; MB description begins James A. Bear, Jr., and Lucia C. Stanton, eds., Jefferson’s Memorandum Books: Accounts, with Legal Records and Miscellany, 1767-1826, Princeton, 1997, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Second Series description ends , 2:1118, 1137; Vol. 37:492).

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