Thomas Jefferson Papers

Étienne Lemaire to Thomas Jefferson, 20 August 1805

From Étienne Lemaire

Washington City du 20 aoust 1805

Monsieur

aûsitot avoir recûe l’honneur de la vôtre Jai pris la libertée de vous Repondre, pour vous informer que Jé ouverte les Caise, et le Baril par l’ordre du General, g’ner Borde, y avoit Beaucoup Dinsecque, Sourtoute-d’ent les peâu de Chêve Saûvage; et d’ant leur ôsse, qu’ante aû petite elle, ne Son pas tent en d’omagé, et Celle de Bœuf Saûvage elle Son en Bonne Etat, n’ous les avon toute Bien Batûe Et misse aû Soleille, pendent 4. J’our J’ai fait fair Des Sacque et nous les avon, mise deux par deuse et Roullé avec du tabac ên feuille et les ôse Separement Dans ûne aûtres Caise San êttre fermé pour qui Je puise les fair m’etre a lair de ten êntente et le toute est aû grenié d’ans le n’ouveau Stor Si Monsieur trouve à propeâu, de les fair m’etre ên bas D’ant le Cabinete Ge le ferré de Cendre tous desuite La pie et l’espece, de Curreuille Se porte tres bien ille Son d’ant l’a chanbre ous Monsieur Re Soi Ses visite; Si monsieur a des ordre a me donner—Ge le prie de me Comender; Monsieur Je fini avecque toute l’atachement possible votre huble Et tres obeisant Serviteur

Et. Lemaire

Editors’ Translation

Washington City, 20 Aug. 1805

Sir,

Immediately on having the honor of receiving your letter, I have taken the liberty of responding to inform you that I opened the cases and barrel on orders from General Dearborn. There were many insects, especially in the skin of the wild goats, and in their bones. The small one is less damaged. The skin of the wild ox is in good shape. We beat them well and put them in the sun for four days. I had sacks made and we packed them two by two, rolled in tobacco leaves. We put the bones in another case, which is not closed, so I can set them out to air from time to time. Everything is in the new storeroom in the attic. If you think it appropriate to put them downstairs in the cabinet, I will have them brought down immediately. The magpie and the squirrel-like animal are in good health. They are in the chamber where you receive visitors. If you have orders to give me, please send them along.

Sir, I conclude with all possible attachment, your humble and very obedient servant.

Et. Lemaire

RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 23 Aug. and so recorded in SJL.

l’honneur de la vôtre: TJ to Lemaire, 17 Aug.

Chêve Saûvage: Lemaire was probably referring to specimens of pronghorns (Meriwether Lewis to TJ, 7 Apr.).

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