Étienne Lemaire to Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1805
From Étienne Lemaire
Washington City du 12 aoust 1805
Monsieur
Je prend la liBerty de vous presenter mon Respecque. la presente est pour vous prevenir que je vien de Recevoir par, Baltimore, un Barill, et 4. Caise; et 1 Spece de Câge, dant la qu’el ÿ lia, une petite Bêitte resenblant Baû Coûpe a le Curreuille, et l’eautres, un oïseau, resenblant a la pie, qu’illia En eûrôpe; monsieur Je l’honneur de vous avertir aûsi que les ouvrage, de l’interrieur et lesterrieur de la M’aison vont Bien dousement et je Crain Baûcoupe que Cequi lia de plus Esencielle ne Soi pas fini pre. Vôtre Retoûr a vashington; ge ne pas êncor recûe la Commende, de marseille. Monsieur je Soite de tout mon Cœur que vous Jouïsé d’une parfaite Sentez, et toute Vôtre Respectable famille, mes respecque Sille vous plai Je fini En-atendent lhonneur de recevoir vos ordre—
Je Sui avecque tous le plus prefon respeque—Vôtre tres hunble et tres obeisent Serviteur
Etienne Lemaire
toute la famille Ce porte Bien.
Editors’ Translation
Washington City, 12 Aug. 1805
Sir,
I take the liberty of sending you my regards. This letter is to inform you that I have just received via Baltimore one barrel and four cases. In a kind of cage there is a small animal that looks very much like a squirrel, and in another cage a bird that resembles the European magpie. I also have the honor of informing you, Sir, that the interior and exterior renovations of the house are progressing very slowly, and I greatly fear the essential work will not be finished before your return to Washington. I have not yet received the order from Marseilles. I fervently hope, Sir, that you and all your worthy family are in perfect health. Please give them my regards. I close in anticipation of receiving your orders.
With the deepest respect, I am your very humble and obedient servant.
Etienne Lemaire
The whole family here is well.
RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 16 Aug. and so recorded in SJL.
Recevoir par, Baltimore: in a letter of this day to Madison, Baltimore collector of customs Robert Purviance reported the unloading of the ship Comet, which carried a hogshead, three boxes, and two cases forwarded to the president by William C. C. Claiborne. The shipment consisted of specimens sent by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Purviance informed Madison that one of the magpies, which he described as “remarkably voratious,” had apparently killed the other three birds during the voyage from New Orleans. The Comet’s captain, James McNeill, certified the shipment for the president and further certified that “three of the Magpies were killed and devoured by the surviving one.” Purviance had directed the carter to take extra care with the remaining animals during the trip to Washington (Purviance to Madison, 12 Aug., RC in DLC, endorsed by TJ: “Purviance to mr Madison”; certification of James McNeill, 12 Aug., MS in MHi, endorsed by TJ: “Thom Christopher S. rect.”; see also Lewis to TJ, 7 Apr., and Claiborne to TJ, 3 Aug.). In Washington, the goods were received by State Department clerk Christopher S. Thom, who paid Francis Peck $17 on 14 Aug. for carting the items from Baltimore to Washington. TJ reimbursed Thom on 5 Dec. (MS in MHi, endorsed by TJ: “Thom. Christopher S. rect.”; , 2:1168; Vol. 33:512–13).
la Commende, de marseille: see David Gelston to TJ, 23 July.