Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas B. Robertson to Thomas Jefferson, 2 August 1819

From Thomas B. Robertson

New Orleans 2 August 1819

Dear Sir

Since I was sent to this country by you, in the year 1807, as secretary of the Territory of Orleans; I have filled several important offices, and travelled a great deal. As a servant of the publick, I have acquired no fame but am content, as I have escaped censure, and am willing to believe, that I deserved neither the one nor the other. I continued in Congress, till ill health and a certain insipidity of events, induced me to retire. I am now again in new orleans; I hold the appointment of Attorney General and pursue my professional avocations with assiduity

My travels have been confined principally to our frontier states and Territories; but in the recess of congress in 1815, I crossed the Atlantick, and visited England & France. The period was singularly interesting, and I transmit to you a small Volume of letters, written to my father from Paris during my short residence in that City. If you think it worth while to cast your eye over it, I hope you will give it the advantage of an agreeable attitude while seated in your Campeachy chair.   Many years ago you asked me to send you a few of these chairs; embargo, war, the infrequency of communication between N. O. and the ports of virginia and my being in Congress prevented me from complying with your request—meeting with two some weeks ago on the Levee and learning that there was a vessel then up for Richmond, I had them put on board; one I sent to my father, and the other to you, the two men on earth whom I the most highly respect.   I hope it may answer your expectations; if you wish for more, I can now at any time procure & forward them to you.

I heard with much concern of your having received some personal injury at the fire which happened at monticello some months ago. I hope you have recovered, and that you now enjoy your usual good health

Be pleased to remember me to Mr Randolph & his family and receive the assurances with which I am respectfully & faithfully
your ob. St

Thos B Robertson

RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 8 Sept. 1819 but recorded in SJL as received two days earlier. Enclosure: [Robertson], Letters from Paris, Written During the Period of the late Accession and Abdication of Napoleon (Washington, 1816; Poor, Jefferson’s Library description begins Nathaniel P. Poor, Catalogue. President Jefferson’s Library, 1829 description ends , 7 [no. 326]).

An image of a campeachy chair is reproduced elsewhere in this volume.

Index Entries

  • boats; carriage to and from Richmond search
  • books; of correspondence search
  • campeachy chairs search
  • Congress, U.S.; T. B. Robertson as member of search
  • furniture; campeachy chairs search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Books and Library; works sent to search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Health; injured in fall search
  • Letters from Paris, Written During the Period of the late Accession and Abdication of Napoleon (T. B. Robertson) search
  • Louisiana (state); and War of1812 search
  • Louisiana (state); attorney general of search
  • Monticello (TJ’s Albemarle Co. estate); fires at search
  • Orleans Territory; and Embargo search
  • Orleans Territory; secretary of search
  • Randolph, Thomas Mann (1768–1828) (TJ’s son-in-law; Martha Jefferson Randolph’s husband); greetings sent to search
  • Richmond, Va.; boat carriage to and from search
  • Robertson, Thomas Bolling; and campeachy chairs search
  • Robertson, Thomas Bolling; letters from search
  • Robertson, Thomas Bolling; Letters from Paris, Written During the Period of the late Accession and Abdication of Napoleon search
  • Robertson, Thomas Bolling; public service of search
  • Robertson, William (1750–1829); and campeachy chairs search
  • Robertson, William (1750–1829); family of search
  • War of1812; and La. search