Philippe Reibelt to Thomas Jefferson, 24 October 1805
From Philippe Reibelt
Balt. le 24 Oct. 1805.
Monsieur le President!
Je dois Vous anoncer (je l’ai oubliè, et j’en demande pardon) que Votre Assignation pour les 134 G. 80 C. montant de Votre dernier Compte en Livres—m’est parvenüe et payeè.
Je prends en même tems, et çela par Crainte, qu’elle soit perdüe—la liberté, de Vous observer, que le Stage n’a pas encore rapportè la petite Caisse avec les malheureux Perroquets.
J’ai l’honneur de Vous presenter mes profonds respects.
Reibelt.
Editors’ Translation
Baltimore, 24 Oct. 1805
Mister President!
Forgive me: I forgot to tell you that your payment of $134.80 for the last invoice reached me and has been paid.
At the same time, fearing that the small box with the unfortunate parrots might be lost, I take the liberty of noting that the stage has not yet returned it.
I have the honor of presenting my deep respect.
Reibelt
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 25 Oct. but recorded in SJL as received 24 Oct.
malheureux Perroquets: that is, an illustrated work on parrots (Reibelt to TJ, 15 Oct.).