6701From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have deferred acknoleging the receipt of your favor of Nov. 30. in daily hope of accompaying it with the ultimate decision on our commerce. But it seems to walk before us like our shadows, always appearing in reach, yet never overtaken. I am disappointed in the proportion of returns of country produce from your port to America. I had received a statement from l’Orient by which I found they...
6702From Thomas Jefferson to D’Yquem, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
N’ayant pas l’honneur de vous etre connu, c’est à votre bonté qu’il me faut avoir recours pour excuser la liberté que je prenne de m’adresser à vous directement. J’aurai besoin des petits approvisionnements de vin blanc de Sauterne pour ma consommation annuelle pendant ma residence en France, et meme après ma retour en Amerique, quand cet evenement aura lieu. Je sçai que la votre est des...
6703To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 18 Dec. 1787. Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 9 Dec. and respects his reasons for taking no further steps in the matter of the proposed treaty; hopes his previous letters for America have been sent by this month’s packet and that the enclosed will go by that conveyance also. Has no more belief in the continuance of peace than is generally held elsewhere; considers TJ’s remarks...
6704[To Thomas Jefferson from Uriah Forrest, 18 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ London, 18 Dec. 1787. Recorded in SJL as received 24 Dec. 1787. Not found.]
6705[To Thomas Jefferson from Harrison, 18 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ 18 Dec. 1787. Recorded in SJL Index without further identification. Not found.]
6706To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 18 Dec. 1787. Not having a reply to his letters of 18 and 19 Nov., fears that the observations in his letter of 18 Nov. were not approved; if such is the case, he wishes to be informed. Observes, nevertheless, that if the duties on yellow beeswax imported from America into France were lessened, its importation would be greatly increased; the present duty is 5.₶ 10s. per 100 “neat.”...
6707To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 18 Dec. 1787. Transmits “copies of vouchers belonging to Willie Thomas Master of the Scooner of Polly and Sally of Salem.” Capt. Thomas has appealed for help; his ship was chartered by the agent of the company which has the exclusive privilege of the Senegal trade with France to carry a cargo from thence to Le Havre. Under these circumstances he anticipated no difficulty and...
6708To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Cathalan, Sr., 19 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Marseilles, 19 Dec. 1787. Thanks TJ for the useful information in his letter of 2 Dec.; will report what settlement he makes for the whale oil which he expects in the near future. Has received letters from Philadelphia which inform him that the price of tobacco there is high because of scarcity; that his friends were able to procure only 132 hhds. of tobacco for his ship which sailed for...
6709To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, [ca. 19 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
I am just arrived here from England. I left New York the 11th. Novr. and have brought public dispatches and a number of private Letters for you. I would have waited on you immediately instead of writing, but I have several strong reasons for desiring that no person should know of my being here till I have seen you and been favored with your advice on the steps I ought to pursue. I have a...
6710[To Thomas Jefferson from Ferdinand Grand, 20 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 20 Dec. 1787. Recorded in SJL as received 20 Dec. 1787. Not found.]
6711[To Thomas Jefferson from John Langdon, 20 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ 20 Dec. 1787. Recorded in SJL Index. Not found; this letter is probably an answer to TJ to Langdon, 18 Sep. 1787 , q.v.]
6712From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 20 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Oct. 8 by the Count de Moustier. Yours of July 18. Sep. 6. and Oct. 24. have been successively received, yesterday, the day before and three or four days before that. I have only had time to read the letters, the printed papers communicated with them, however interesting, being obliged to lie over till I finish my dispatches for the packet, which dispatches must go from...
6713To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The packet has been detained here since the date of the letter which you will receive along with this, by some preparations suggested by an apprehension of war. The delay is very unfavorable to the trees on board for you. Mr. De la Forest the Consul here called on me a few days ago and told me he had information that the farmers general and Mr. Morris having found their contract mutually...
6714From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 21 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received your two favors of Octob. 23. and that of Nov. 10. I am much obliged to you for your hints in the Danish business. They are the only information I have on that subject except the resolution of Congress, and warn me of a rock on which I should most certainly have split. The vote plainly points out an Agent, only leaving it to my discretion to substitute another. My judgment...
6715From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 21 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letters I had the honour of addressing you were of the 3d. and 7th. of November. Your several favors, to wit, two of July 27. two of Oct. 24. and one of Nov. 3. have all been delivered within the course of a week past: and I embrace the earliest occasion of returning to Congress my sincere thanks for the new proofs I receive therein of their confidence in me, and of assuring them of...
6716To Thomas Jefferson from La Boullaye, 22 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu, avec la Lettre que vous m’aves fait l’honneur de m’écrire, copie de celle par laqu’elle le Capitaine Hussey déclare que les huiles de Baleine importées par le Vaisseau le Renard sont de produit de la pêche américaine: cette déclaration ne remplit pas entierement le voeu des réglemens en cette matière; il faudrait le temoignage du Consul de France: mais puisque vous voules bien le...
6717To Thomas Jefferson from La Platière, 22 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Une Des plus Nobles fonctions d’un historien est de pouvoir transmettre a La posterité Les noms des Grands hommes qui ont Bien merité De Leur patrie. J’aurai souvent occasion De parler Dans Mon ouvrage Des heros qui ont Coôperés a La révolution Des etats de L’amerique septentrionale, c’est a ce titre que j’ai l’honneur de Demander a votre Excellence, La permission De lui dédier un procès...
6718From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 22 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor now to acknolege the receipt of your favors of the 18th. and 19th. of November and two of the 18th. of the present month. I did not write to you immediately on receipt of the two first, because the observations they contained were to be acted on here. I was much obliged to you for them, as I have been frequently before for others, and you will find that I have profited by them...
6719From Thomas Jefferson to Quesnay de Beaurepaire, 22 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The hour of the departure of the post permitting me to continue to write to America till one oclock, and your departure for Versailles rendering it necessary you should receive by three oclock the Plan for an Academy, which you had been pleased to send me, it has been impracticable for me to give it but a cursory and partial reading, and now leaves me but a moment to return you my thanks for...
6720To Thomas Jefferson from George Gilmer, 23 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
It hurts me to intrude on you, with nothing new or interesting, but what you must receive from those who shed ink more importantly than I possibly can, but your earnest friendship must be my apology. Your kind opinion which coincided with several here I flattered myself would settle the point clearly as to Marrow-bone but behold these adepts in the law have abandoned their former opinion, and...
6721[To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 24 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 24 Dec. 1787 . Recorded in SJL as received 24 Dec. 1787. Not found.]
6722To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 24 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very glad to Learn by the Letters your Excellency hath favord me with the 22nd. Instant that an arrest in the behalf of the Commerce of the US is soon to take place; and that you have not slept away the informations I have taken the freedom to send to your Excellency. Give me leave to say that we are not of the Same opinion about Capt. Thomas’s Circumstance. Your Excellency is beseech’d...
6723To Thomas Jefferson from Parent, 24 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
En Reponse a l’honneur de la votre du 17 du Courant par laquelle vous me marque de vous achetté troit feuillette de vin blan de la goute d’or, je suis eté chez Mr. Bachey qui en a Encorre trois feuillette, mais il ne veut vendre que deux dans ce moment icy et il veut en avoir Cent livres de la feuillette et pas a moins; et je suis esté Chez Mr. Latour, il n’a plus de Montrachet de 84 mais il...
6724To Thomas Jefferson from Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst, 24 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
We are honored with Your Excellency’s most esteemed favor of 13 Inst. to our N.V.S. who is highly flattered to have served you by his particular Exertions in securing the regular payment of your current demands for the Legation of the U.S. Exclusive of our personal Respect for Your Excellency, which will always urge us to do all in our power to oblige you, We are so firmly persuaded of our...
6725To Thomas Jefferson from Willink & Van Staphorst, 24 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
We are honored with Your Excellency’s very esteemed favor of 13 Inst. informing us Messrs. H. Fizeaux & Co. of this City had notified to you that a Loan of ƒ51,000. cr., negotiated by them for the United States, becomes reimbursable the First Proximo, And that as you judged the punctual discharge of it, to be highly interesting to the Honor and essential to the Credit of the United States, You...
6726To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 25 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last Post I answered your Letter of the 12, and Yesterday received yours of the 16. Com. Jones has before now delivered you dispatches that will serve no doubt for your direction. Mr. Van staphorst, will have no Objection to an handsome Commission, for paying off, the Debt Mr. Fizeaux mentions: and Mr. Fizeau, will be glad to have it paid off, that the Money Lenders not knowing what to...
6727To Thomas Jefferson from Maria Cosway, 25 December [1787] (Jefferson Papers)
How do you do My dear friend? You came to the invitation of my breakfast the Morning of my departure! and what did you think of Me? I did it to avoid the last taking leave, I went too early for any body to see Me. I cannot express how Miserable I was in leaving Paris. How I regreted not having seen More of you, and I cannot have even the Satisfaction to unburden My displeasure of [it] by...
6728To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, [25? December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed, My dear friend, I send You the Proposed Constitution which I Have Received on My Way. What do You think of the powers of the president? I am affraid that our friends are gone a little too far on the other side. But suppose it is the Case, and General Washington is the president, I know him too well not to think He will find the danger, and lessen the authority Before He Goes over....
6729To Thomas Jefferson from John Rutledge, 25 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your Letter, of the 6th. of August, and should have acknowledged the receipt of it, long ago, but, have been very much in the Country, and engaged, since my Return from Philadelphia. You will have the Goodness to excuse the delay. I am extremely obliged to you, for the great Politeness and Attention with which my son informs me you have honoured him, and...
6730From Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones, 26 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Commodore Jones and returns him the book he was so good as to give him the perusal of. He incloses him a letter he has just received, and asks his information as to the justice of the claim. He will be obliged now to occupy himself some two or three days about commercial arrangements just now made at Versailles and which he must translate, have printed, and...
6731To Thomas Jefferson from Giuseppe Chiappe, 27 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mogador, 27 Dec. 1787 . Has received through his brother in Morocco TJ’s letter of 15 Sept. 1787 , informing him that the appointments made by Barclay of himself and his brothers as consuls have been confirmed by Congress; assumes that official papers will be received from Congress in due time; promises to correspond with TJ and the minister at London concerning all matters of interest to the...
6732From Thomas Jefferson to H. Fizeaux & Cie., 27 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 20th. instant , and have learnt thro’ another channel that my letter to Messrs. Willincks and Van Staphorsts, of the same date with that I wrote to you, did not get to their hands by the same post: so that I shall receive their answer one post late, that is to say, on Saturday next. Of course I shall not be able to answer you definitively till Monday the...
6733From Thomas Jefferson to La Platière, 27 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Je vous suis infiniment obligé de m’avoir procuré l’occasion de connoitre la merite de votre excellente galerie des hommes illustres, et je demande votre permission de m’abonner pour un exemplaire, et de garder […] ce livre celui que vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoyer. C’est à vous Monsieur, à considerer combien l’honneur que vous [me] proposez fera de tort à votre ouvrage. Son merite ne...
6734From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 28 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day received your favor of the 19th instant and avail myself of the first post to pray you to send the second Couffe of rice of Egypt by the American brig Nancy, Capt. Shewell, consigned to Mr. William Drayton chairman of the society for agriculture at Charlestown in South Carolina, writing a line to him at the same time to inform him of it, and that it comes from me. I will write...
6735To Thomas Jefferson from Lanchon Frères & Cie., 28 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
L’Orient, 28 Dec. 1787 . TJ’s attention “to the interests of America” persuades them that much will be done for the tobacco trade; are eager to know what can be expected from the farmers-general during the next year; although they have information that the farmers’ agents “will have orders to receive in February next on the lowest terms they can purchase,” they are keeping up the prices on the...
6736To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 28 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 28 Dec. 1787 . Writes again on the case of William Thomas, who is honest and will be certainly ruined if TJ does not “take his defense in hand”; encloses an additional document that Thomas has just found among his papers which shows clearly that he acted with the full knowledge and permission of the governor of Senegal. The agents of the Senegal Company “refuse to promise him the...
6737From Thomas Jefferson to Parent, 28 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Je viens de recevoir la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 24me. du courant, et je me profite du premier courier pour vous prier d’acheter pour moi les deux feuillettes de vin de Meursault de Monsr. Bachey, de l’année 84. à 100 francs s’il ne les vendra moins. Et de me procurer en meme tems une feuillette de vin de Vollenaye, premiere qualité, et de l’année 84. Vous aurez la...
6738To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Shewell, 28 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Marseilles, 28 Dec. 1787 . Learned a few days ago “at the table of Mr. Cathalan” that TJ wishes to send “(by way of experiment) to America, some seed Rice, Indian Corn, or Maize”; offers his services; is going to sail for Charleston within twenty days and will proceed from there to his “native City of Philada.”; from either of these places he can forward by water any articles TJ wishes to send...
6739To Thomas Jefferson from Lambert, with Enclosure, 29 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour, Sir, to send you a copy of an Arret passed in Council, for encouraging the Commerce of the United States of America in France. I shall furnish you with a number of others as soon as they shall be printed. You will therein see that several considerable favors, not before promised to the American Commerce, have been added to those which the king announced to you, in the letter...
6740To Thomas Jefferson from Brissot de Warville, 30 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 30 Dec. 1787 . Sends a letter to be forwarded to Crèvecoeur with the mail TJ is sending by the next packet to America. Has been busy since he returned from London and has, therefore, been unable to see TJ; will see him as soon as he is free. After the following Tuesday his address will be “ No. 11. rue St. Nicaise. ” RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; in French; endorsed. Not recorded in SJL . The...
6741From Thomas Jefferson to H. Fizeaux & Cie., 30 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day received the answer of Messieurs Willinck & Van Staphorsts, by which it appears necessary that the board of treasury should be applied to for the reimbursement of the capital of your loan. I shall immediately therefore write to the board of treasury to press this matter. In the mean time I have desired Messieurs Willincks & Van Staphorsts to pay you the interest of this present...
6742From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Treasury, 30 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Aug. 5. I had the honour of inclosing to you a letter written me by Messrs. Fiseaux & co. reminding us that the principal of the loan of 51,000 florins obtained by them would become due on the first day of the ensuing year. A few days ago I received another from them calling for the money. At first I was disposed to answer them that I was in no wise authorised to do any thing...
6743From Thomas Jefferson to Willink & Van Staphorst, 30 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I receive this day your favor of the 24th. instant. I had before received from Mr. Adams a letter approving of the application of so much of the money in your hands to the paiment of Fizeaux’ debt, if there were so much. He presumed my draught on you would suffice, but offered to join if you required it. However from what you say in your last letter I have concluded to refer it to the board of...
6744From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 31 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Parker furnishes me an opportunity of acknoleging the receipt of your favors of Nov. 10. Dec. 6. 10. 18. and 25. which I avoid doing thro post. The orders on the subject of our captives at Algiers have come to me by the last packet. They are to be kept secret even from the captives themselves, lest a knolege of the interference of government should excite too extravagant demands. The...
6745[From Thomas Jefferson to the Agents for the United States in France, 31 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 31 Dec. 1787 . An entry in SJL under this date reads: “Agents circular.” No copy of such a letter has been found but it evidently was a brief letter enclosing the printed copies of Lambert to TJ, 29 Dec. 1787 , and the annexed arrêt, being no doubt similar to the circulars of 31 May and 29 Oct. 1786, qq.v. Although the letters may have actually been written on this day, they were...
6746To Thomas Jefferson from Burrill Carnes, [before 31 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Nantes, before 31 Dec. 1787 .] Has a vessel bound for Alexandria in a few days; offers to execute any commissions entrusted to him. RC ( MHi ); 1 p.; endorsed; undated but evidently one of two undated letters recorded in SJL Index as received in 1787.
6747To Thomas Jefferson from Burrill Carnes, [ca. 31 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Nantes, ca. 31 Dec. 1787 ] Asks for instructions for forwarding the continental accounts and those of Schweighauser & Dobrée, which he had intended to send by “Mr. Prentiss of Boston,” the bearer of this letter, but recollects that Mr. William Ast, at L’Orient, informed him that they should first be sent to him to be entered “in the Continental Books in his possession.” RC ( MHi ); 2 p.;...
6748From Thomas Jefferson to Uriah Forrest, with Enclosure, 31 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Just before I received your favour asking my opinion on our new proposed constitution, I had written my sentiments on the subject fully to my friend Mr. Madison. They concurred so exactly with yours that the communication of them could answer no end but that of shewing my readiness to obey you. I therefore extracted that part from my letter to him, and have reserved it for a good private...
6749From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 31 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the receipt of the letter of Monsieur de Calonne of Octob. 22. 1786. I have several times had the honour of mentioning to you that I was endeavouring to get the substance of that letter reduced into an arrêt, which, instead of being revocable by a simple letter of a comptroller general, would require an arrêt to repeal or alter it, and of course must be discussed in full council and so...
6750From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 31 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In your favor of the 18th. instant you were so kind as to inform me that the American ship Juno, Capt. Jenkins, would sail from your port for New York about the 3d. of January. I avail myself therefore of that opportunity for the conveyance of dispatches to Mr. Jay, which are of great consequence. As it is improper they should go thro’ the post office, I send a servant with them express and...