From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas van Staphorst, 13 December 1787
To Nicholas van Staphorst
Paris Decemb. 13. 1787.
Sir
In consequence of a letter from Messrs. Fizeaux & co. containing a demand of ƒ51,000 due from the United states the 1st. day of next month, I have proposed to Mr. Adams the answering that demand from the produce of the loan going on in your hands and those of Messrs. Willincks. Having had the honor of a conference with your brother on that subject, I have addressed the inclosed letter to the joint commissioners of the loan, to know whether, with the approbation of Mr. Adams, we may count on them to effect this paiment. I will take the liberty of asking your personal and particular exertions in this case, as a failure to make this paiment might not only stop the progress of the loan now open in your hands, but defeat further views of the same nature which I have submitted to Congress, and of which I hope their approbation. If you conclude that this paiment can be made, it is essential that Messieurs Fizeaux & co. be satisfied of it as early as possible. I have therefore desired them to confer with you.
I thank you for your particular attention to the demands I had made for the current expences of the legation of the U.S. here, which your brother has done me the favor to communicate to me. I have the honor to be with great esteem Sir your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson
PrC (DLC).
Your brother: Jacob van Staphorst was in Paris at this time (see Dumas to TJ, 4 Dec. 1787). For the further views which TJ had submitted to Congress (and which, as the present letter shows, Jacob and Nicolas van Staphorst were privy to), see TJ to Jay, 26 Sep. 1786).