Philippe Reibelt to Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1805
From Philippe Reibelt
Baltimore le 10 Juill. 1805.
Monsieur!
Je desire, comme j’ai deja eû l’occassion de Vous dire, ardement, de quitter ma carrière interimistique de Marchand des Livres, et de me retirer en Simple Cultivateur sur une petite terre. Je donne, d’apres ce, que j’ai vû, la preference aux environs de Charlottésville; mais je n’y connais personne, de la quelle je pourrois attendre la bienveillance Cosmopolitique, de diriger un etranger—exceptè Vous—Je prends donc, plein de Confiance en Votre Caractére Philos—et Philantr.—la Liberté, de Vous demander la Grace, de me dire, a qui je pourrois m’adresser pour l’acquisition si non d’une petite ferme, au moins d’un petit Morceau de terre, bien situèe? et Vous prie d’agreer mes sinceres et intimes hommages.
Reibelt
Editors’ Translation
Baltimore, 10 July 1805
Sir!
As I have already had occasion to tell you, I would very much like to end my interim career as a bookseller and retire as a simple farmer on a small plot of land. Based on what I have seen, I prefer the area around Charlottesville, but do not know anyone there except you who might advise a foreigner in a spirit of cosmopolitan good will. Trusting your philosophic and philanthropic nature, I take the liberty of asking you to please tell me whom I might address to acquire, if not a small farm, at least a small, well-located plot of land.
And I beg you to accept my sincere and personal respects.
Reibelt
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 11 July and so recorded in SJL.