Jacques Tanesse to Thomas Jefferson, 8 July 1804
From Jacques Tanesse
Philadelphia the 8 of July 1804
Sir
The protection, which you deign to Bestow on the Arts, emboldens me to address the Present Letter to you, and to solicit from you the favor mentionned therein.
I was born at Louisianna, and for a Number of years; I have resided in the West indies; after Labours as long as they were assiduous, the french Government Granted me the Commission of surveyor General of the Western part of St. Domingo; Now become an American Citizen, I desire to return to my Country; where I would have every favorable prospect of following the Duties of My station. Under this pleasing hope, Sir, I solicit You, with some Degree of Confidence, to Grant me the Commission of surveyor General for New-Orleans.
This favor, Sir, by increasing my zeal for the Service of my new Country and for the Government (as free as it is generous) under which I act, will penetrate me, Sir, with lasting gratitude towards you.
Please, Sir, to accept my assurance thereof, as Also that of the profound respect, with which I have the honor, to be—.
Sir Your most obedient & humble Servant.
Tanesse
No. 215 in south fifth street Philadelphia.
I have the honor to enclose a copy of my commission
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at head of text: “To his excellency Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 July and “to be Surveyor Genl. N.O.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.
Jacques Tanesse (ca. 1770-1824), a native of Bordeaux, France, moved to New Orleans in 1804 and as of 1808 was city surveyor, in which role he gave depositions and certified measurements relating to the Batture case. His detailed Plan of the City and Suburbs of New Orleans from an Actual Survey Made in 1815 was published in 1817 in New York and New Orleans (Earl C. Woods and Charles E. Nolan, eds., Sacramental Records of the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, 19 vols. [New Orleans, 1987-2004], 16:376; , 2:445–6n; 3:496; 5:86n).