To Thomas Jefferson from Philippe Reibelt, 19 June 1805
From Philippe Reibelt
Baltimore le 19 Juin 1805.
Monsieur le President!
Encouragè par les Amateurs des Arts, qui ont concus l’ideè de la Lotterie cijointe, (et qui pretendent connaitre les Moeurs du pays) d’en presenter un Avertissement a Votre Excellence, (les francais se proposent d’y inviter aussi Mr. et Mme. Turreau)—je m’y prête quoique avec quelque repugnance—En Vous priant:
1) de ne pas le prendre en mauvaise Graçe, si çela ne seroit pas bien conforme au respect distinguè, qu’on Vous doit, et que je porte pour Vous sous tous les rapports;
2) Si cela n’est pas disconvenable, de le communiquer aussi a Messieurs les Secretaires d’Etat, Vos parens et Amis.
Daignez accepter mes hômages les plus purs et les plus sinceres.
Reibelt.
Editors’ Translation
Baltimore, 19 June 1805
Mister President!
Patrons of the arts, who conceived the attached lottery and claim to understand the customs of this country, have asked me to present this announcement to your excellency (they are also seeking the support of Mr. and Madame Turreau). I do so reluctantly, asking you:
1) not to take umbrage if it does not correspond to the respect you deserve and in which I hold you, in all regards;
2) to share it with the cabinet heads, your family, and friends, if that is not inappropriate.
Please accept my most sincere and faithful regards.
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 19 June and so recorded in SJL; with calculations by TJ, adding $55.75 to $33.45 (as 60 percent) for a total of $89.20 (see TJ to Reibelt, 21 June).