1Plan of Philip Mazzei’s Agricultural Company, 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
Proposals for forming a Company or Partnership, for the Purpose of raising and making Wine, Oil, agruminous Plants and Silk 1. So much money as may be procured, shall be subscribed in shares of fifty Pounds Sterling each, and in all Proceedings of the Company a Vote shall be allowed for every share; the Subscribers of smaller sums than fifty Pounds, being at liberty to associate in shares, and...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, [27 November 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
It is 8. days since I arrived at this place from Rochelle, near which City I was set a-shore in an Island by a Portugueese vessel from Cork in Irland. The various circumstances, which have contributed to my liberty, and several other anecdotes since I left the Capes of Virginia; deserve I think that I should trouble you with an account of them; but an illness of 2. months and half, and the...
3[To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 5 December 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Nantes, 5 Dec. 1779 . Mazzei’s “Representation” of his conduct as agent for Virginia in Europe states that in a letter of this date, his second dispatch to TJ, “he foretold, that we ought not to expect any good from the Irish commotions, and signified his reasons for such a conjecture, which he confirmed in letter 11, dated Paris, April 10th 1780,” q.v., below (Marraro, Mazzei , p. 88)....
4To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 12 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
A very good piece of intelligence, which I received yesterday, has been followed by very mortifaying news arrived in Town today. Yesterday I was informed, that 9. days since it was resolved in the King’s council to lend Congress, in arms and such other things as they want, to the amount of 16. millions of livres. I must give you a clear notion of my authority to enable you to weigh with your...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 18 December 1779–9 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We Know at last, that D’Esteing’s melancholy affair happened in Georgia; that our few regulars there behaved very well; and we hear that it was the militia who did not Keep their ground; and that the pretended treachery did consist in the villany of one of our officers from New-England, who deserted and informed the enemy of Desteing’s plan for the attack. We are convinced that D’Esteing’s...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 8–12 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Nantes, 8–12 Feb. 1780 . Is still at Nantes but has been obliged to beg personal financial assistance from Tuscany. Action of the Spanish and British fleets off Cadiz; capture of numerous Spanish merchantmen by Admiral Rodney. French success under M. LaMotte Picquet at Martinique. Encloses extracts from French Gazette to show “the monstrous contrast” between the published accounts in Spain and...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 18 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the inclosed copies, containing my corrispondence with Mr. D’Acosta and Dr. Franklin, being the most satisfactory proof I can give of having done what I prudently and decently could do to find the means for proceeding on the important business so strongly recommended to me. My delay to write to Dr. Franklin, and the distance between the first and second letter have proceeded cheafly...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 2 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived in this metropolis 8 days since; have been at Dr. Franklin and Marquis Caraccioli frequently and have seen several others who are likely to influence those in power; but have not as yet been introduced to any of them myself. Marquis Caraccioli was for us already, and will do all his endeavours to put me in the way of being useful. Marquis de la Fayette, the bearer of this, truly...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 4 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
From Rappannack, or york River, I wrote to Col. Maddison, that the season being so far advanced I had a mind not to wait untill I got to Italy to propose the exchange of goods on the terms expressed in my Instructions, and that least I should be taken, and of course be obliged to throw my papers over-board, I had interlined in some of my private old papers the cifer and the substance of the...
10[To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 19 March 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 19 Mch. 1780 . Mazzei’s “Representation … of His Conduct, from the Time of His Appointment to Be Agent of the State in Europe untill his Return to Virginia,” written in 1784 and printed in Marraro, Mazzei , q.v., p. 86, states that in his 9th dispatch, of this date, he sent the Governor of Virginia a “narrative of Mr. Mazzei’s captivity.” No copy of the 9th dispatch has been located,...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 4 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 4 Apr. 1780 . Abstract, with liberal quotations, of Edmund Burke’s speech in Parliament on Economical Reform, delivered 11 Feb. 1780. Sends text of Louis XVI’s message to the widow of Capt. Couedic, which Mazzei hopes will be translated for the “perusal of our people.” Enlarges on the good qualities of the French king. RC ( NN ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Mazzei; 4 p. At head of...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 10–19 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 10–19 Apr. 1780 . Russia has confirmed her strict neutrality, dashing England’s hopes, and has insisted as well that her trading vessels are not to be visited. This declaration has been well received in Europe; and hence “I hope … soon to see the friends and allies of Great Britain limited to the inhabitants of the Coast of Barbary, with whom they can’t help sympathising from a...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 20 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It is about a month Since Mr. Penet came here from Nantes. I got intelligence of it next day, went to See him, had a Short conversation, and Spoke very a little, as I was determined to find out his Sentiments before he could know mine. He appeared to be confused irresolute and discontented both from his discourse and countenance; complained of your drafts to a large amount in favour of a...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 21 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The first time I spoke, according to my Instructions, to Dr. Franklin on the purport of my mission, he observed that so many People had come to Europe from every State on that kind of business, that they had ruined our credit, and made the money-men shy of us. I said that Virginia should not partake of the blame on my account, as I would not let them know my business, unless I was pretty well...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 3 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In letter 7, the first of which I sent by Marquis de la Fayette, I took the liberty to propose to you the sending to Leghorn, if possible, under french colours a cargo of the best tobacco. I have since been informed by the Tuscan Minister (who is American in the heart, and is of some service to me) that good Indigo would be likewise a very profitable article there, and especially at present. I...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 12 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, May 12, 1780 . De Ternay’s fleet with 6,300 troops under Lt. Gen. Rochambeau sailed from Brest on 2 May; a second division, with 3,000–4,000 men is expected to sail in about three weeks. The Spanish fleet, with 11,460 men, sailed from Cadiz on 28 Apr. Observations on the comparative naval status of the three powers. France is fast winning the confidence of the other European powers;...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 19 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It is obvious that the European adventurers cannot, during the war, fetch from America but a Small proportion of their Capital. My intention has always been to persuade them to leave the Greatest part of it in our funds; which would be the means of interesting them in our welfare, and of taking a great deal of paper money out of circulation. The late resolutions of Congress tending to so...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 20 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 20 May 1780. Gives a sketch of the plan of operations by the French land and naval forces recommended by Mazzei in influential quarters. Has sent a copy of his plan to Rochambeau by the Comte de Deux-Ponts, “to whom I gave a letter of recommendation for you dated March 27th.” Postscript: John Adams before sailing for America made “the first and strong motion towards sending us effectual...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It is 8 days since we heared another anecdote of british wild barbarity, which I really did not believe. It comes however authenticated to day in the Spanish gazette, the extract of which is inclosed. The english Commander is supposed to have been Commodore, alias Govr., Johnstone, or his Lieutenant. I must repeat what I said in letter 15. “What a happy circumstance for us to have divided in...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 15 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 15 June 1780 . Sends Leyden gazette of 6 June with accounts of “various insolent and ignominious actions of the British subjects at sea.” The whole world now believes that “the sentiments contained in the enclosed Manuscript No. 1. may be considered as the Emperors”—an East India Company now forming at Trieste under his auspices. King of Naples goes on as fast as possible to form his...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 22 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Bad news have long legs. I have just seen the Capitulation of Chs. Town in the London extraordinary gazette. I never was so afflicted in Virginia, by our bad events, as I am now. I thought I was singular in that, but our good Americans here tell me that it is the Same with them. We are really dejected, and we would be much more so, if all circumstances did not agree to make us hope that we...
22[To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 19 August 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Genoa, 19 Aug. 1780 . Mazzei’s “Representation,” written in 1784, states that he wrote in his dispatch No. 21, of this date, “that some money might be obtained there [Genoa] at 5 P. Cent. Interest, allowing three or four P. Cent for all charges, once for ever, which rendered the loan much cheaper to the borrower than one P. Cent Annually, as it had been offered for charges by Doctor...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, [20 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
In letter 20, dated Paris, June 22d., I said that I should set out for Genoa and Florence, and do all my endeavors to pave the way for executing such orders as I might receive. So I have done, and with as much success in both places, as I could almost wish, considering that I have nothing to show to corroborate what I say in regard to my Commissions. I have greatly lessen’d here and there the...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 5 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Being still deprived of the honour of an answer from you, I think it a duty to inform you of it. You may probably have sent me before now, either new Commissions and Instructions, or the duplicates of my first, and expect that I have received them. Untill I do, I shall trouble you every now and then to remind you, that to my great sorrow I am, and must continue to be a useless servant of the...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 8 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreable to what I said in letter 23, dated florence January 5th, I have again the mortification to say, that I am still deprived of the honour of Your commands. In letter 8. I had desired to have my letters inclosed to my good friend Mr. Mark Lynch Mt. [Merchant] in Nantes, or Dr. Franklin. In my preceding I desired that you would be pleased to inclose them to the said Mr. Lynch, Mr. John...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 8 August 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have at last been honored with your Excellency’s commands. The following papers (the first I have received from Virginia, except a short letter from Mr. Bellini last year) came to my hands yesterday; viz, Copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, dated Williamsburg Novr. 13. 1779. Your private letter dated Williamsburg April 4. 1780. Three official ones, dated Richmond, one May 12; and two...
27[To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 2 October 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Florence, 2 Oct. 1781 . Mazzei’s “Representation” of his conduct as agent for Virginia in Europe states that in a letter of this date, his dispatch “No. 26” to TJ, he wrote: “My Bill drawn by your Excellency’s order, on Messr. Penet, D’Acosta, Freres & Co., has been protested. I am at a loss what to do. It was my intention to tell my circumstances to this Sovereign, and was I to do it, I...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 8 March 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
Florence, 8 Mch. 1782 . Five months have elapsed since the capitulation of Cornwallis and several vessels have arrived in France which sailed from America after that event; does not complain of being neglected before that time but is “greatly disappointed and mortified” by the present silence. Recapitulates the substance of his earlier dispatches; has received no financial aid; has lived too...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 4 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Giunsi tra i 2. Capi di Virginia ai 19. di Novembre, il quarto giorno susseguente mi riescì di sbarcare in Hampton; e tre giorni dopo di proseguire fino a Rosewell, ove andai a restaurare in seno dell’Amicizia il mio strappazzato corpo dagl’incomodi del viaggio, e a cercar sollievo all’animo, non poco afflitto da tutto ciò che intesi al mio arrivo, relativamente a ciò che riguarda...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 20 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Dopo la mia precedente d’Orange andai a trovare Patrick Henry, di dove mi convenne di tornare in Orange e a Roswell. Sono stato trattenuto in viaggio alcune volte dal cattivo tempo, altre dai cavalli stracchi, e ora mi trattiene Abel che deve rassettare il mio sconquassato calesse. Non avendo potuto finora andare a Richmond, non so se V.S. mi abbia favorito di rispondermi alla detta mia...
31Philip Mazzei’s Memoranda Regarding Persons and Affairs in Paris, [ca. July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Th ] e Duke de la Rochefoucauld is very well conversant with the sublime sciences, exceedingly modest, and never so happy as when he is in company with learned, sensible, and wise men, or doing good to his fellow-creatures. His very old and very rich mother, the Dutches of Anville , is one of the greatest and most singular geniouses of the age. Their house is devoted to Philosophy, and their...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 6 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Il Sigre: Short Le aveva detto che a quest’ora dovevo esser probabilmente partito per venire in Francia. Varie circostanze, e fra le altre un Bill in Chancery di Madama Petronilla mi ànno trattenuto, e mi tratterranno ancora. Perciò risolvo di mandarle l’inclusa che mi fù confidata sulla speranza che io avrei potuto recapitarla presto a VS. in proprie mani. Le altre 2 le indirizzo a Lei,...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 9 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
L’Orient, 9 July 1785. He sailed from New York 17 June and arrived in L’Orient this day. “I have with me so many bundles of letters and other papers for you as to cost you perhaps 30 louis, were the whole to be sent by post. Mr. Short could perhaps have his for 60 or 70 francs. I cannot get to Paris before the 21st or 22nd of this month; nonetheless I esteem it proper to bring all of it...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 26 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since you had said the day before yesterday that you would not go to Fontainebleau today unless the weather was good and since it rained yesterday all day without any sign of change in the near future I hoped to see you after dinner at Chaillot and I have learned with great sorrow that I shall have to leave for Holland without seeing you. Monday evening after we parted I went to Mr. Meyer’s...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, [5 January 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Leiden? 5 Jan. 1786 ] Encloses souvenirs which may serve to recall things TJ has forgotten or be useful in comparing the present with the past. His trunk having arrived, will leave the next day, spend a few days at The Hague, and proceed to Amsterdam where he will execute any orders given him with the Van Staphorsts; asks advice about proceeding to have the Van Staphorsts join him in giving...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 6 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Amsterdam, 6 Feb. 1786 . Has been in Amsterdam three weeks; remained at The Hague longer than he intended and stopped two days in Leyden with his friend Luzac. Luzac is most desirous of receiving American news, particularly that which will refute those who defame America; has inserted in his gazette everything TJ has sent him, as he had also published in 1783 Mazzei’s denial of the rumor that...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 17 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 17 Apr. 1787 . Mazzei here acknowledges TJ’s letter of 4 Apr. and thanks him for offering to supply him with money; by exercising rigid economy he can subsist until TJ returns; however, if TJ wishes to give him an order for a small sum he will hold it in reserve and give it back to TJ on his return. The Prince of Condé’s cook, during the Prince’s absence, took James [Hemings] as a...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, [ca. June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Your going to France without letters from me will seem very strange to many worthy persons who have shown great kindness to me that I have not procured for them your acquaintance after they had heard from me who your Excellency is and had expressed a very great desire to see you in France. Therefore I beg you as strongly as I can not to fail to call on those persons whom I shall name hereunder...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 23 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Warsaw, 23 May 1792 . By TJ’s letter of 7 Jan., he learns that TJ received his of June by Petit, and one of two he sent early in September, one directly from France, the other via England. Enclosed in the latter were copies of a letter for de Rieux, but the duplicate that came from France also contained excerpts of dispatches dealing with matters in Europe. This was to satisfy a promise made...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 18 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your last, dated 7 Jany. 1792, in Warsaw, and answer’d it the 23d. of May, inclosed to Mr. Short in Paris. I sent him a copy of it in Holland, on the 11th. of Feby. last, and a second copy, with some additions, I directed to you, via London, the 19th. of May . Mr. Short moved so rapidly from one Country to another (by what I have understood) that I doubt whether any one of my...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 6 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Non avendo ricevuto alcuna sua lettera dopo quelle del 31 Genn. e 24 Aprile, 1796, ò avuto più volte sotto gli occhi nelle mie afflizioni quel che Ella mi dice nell’ultima: “I begin to feel the effects of age. My health has suddenly broke down, with symptoms which give me to believe I shall not have much to encounter of the tedium vitæ.” Combattuto per molto tempo tra il timore e la speranza,...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 5 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Siccome il bastimento che deve portar la mia lettera non partirà si presto come si credeva, mi determino a dirle qualche cosa dei mali della povera Italia, che nella precedente ò solamente accennati. Le devastazioni ed i bisogni delle armate di tutte le Potenze guerreggianti sul continente, l’ànno ridotta ad una penosissima scarsezza di tutti i generi d’uso, soprattutto di quei di prima...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, [30 July 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
richiede, e che non è possibile di ottenere qualora si voglion dire delle verità. Dalle correzioni fattevi colla penna. Ella concepirà, che, a motivo del necessario segreto, non potei averne le prove per correggerle. Il Capn. Ramsdell partì finalmente da Napoli, dopo subìti altri cattivi trattamenti, conforme faranno sentire (credo io) al Governo i Proprietari del carico spedito qua da...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 28 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In molte lettere, posteriori alla sua del 24 Aprile 1796 (l’ultima pervenutami) ò desiderato di sapere, se gradirebbe ch’io Le mandassi alcune piante di frutte, e se per l’acquisto di nuove specie vorrebbe mandare per la cassa che le conterrebbe al porto ove giungesse il bastimento che la portasse, e in tal caso quali sarebbero i porti a Lei più convenienti. Aspetto tuttavia la sua risposta...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 15 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Il 28 del passato 7bre consegnai a Mr. Appleton un sacchettino, contenente dei noccioli di 4 qualità di Pesche, con un lettera cucitavi sopra e a Lei diretta, la quale non contenendo altro che la descrizione delle dette pesche, e ciò che riguarda La piantazione di quei noccioli, non ne mando copia, poichè sarebbe superflua senza i noccioli, e i noccioli non Le possono per venire senza la...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 19 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Il Rè d’Etruria giunse finalmente in Firenze , e le persone illuminate furono contente delle sue qualità dello spirito, come del cuore. Ma, per disgrazia di questo paese, egli è soggetto ad accidenti epilettici, che lo mettono per più giorni nell’incapacità di occuparsi agli affari; e l’occupazione di mente, e più encora qualche scontentezza causata dalle circostanze attuali, gli rendeno più...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 10 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Colle lettere di Milano mi pervengano sul punto che son di partenza le 2 sue dei 29 Aprile 1800 e 17 Marzo 1801. Da queste vedo, che sonosi smarrite tutte le mie dall’8 xbre 1797 al 6 xbre 1800, e che le sue pure a me dirette ànno avuta la meda. sorte. Dopo l’indicata mia del 6 xbre 800, nel mandarlene la copia, il 5 Febb. 801, aggiunsi una breve descrizione dei mali della povera Italia, dove...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 17 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Avendo dovuto trattenermi in questa disgraziata Città, ò inteso un fatto, che difficilmente credo, e che mi dispiacerebbe molto se fosse vero: Spero, che la presente arriverà a Livorno in tempo da porter partire coll’istesso bastimento che porterà quelle che Le scrissi di Pisa il 10 del corrente. Mi è stato domandato il perchè gli S.U. tengono un Console a Trieste, e non a Livorno, che è un...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 15 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Rispondendo il 10 Aprile 1802 alle sue pervenutemi da Milano coll’istesso corriere, una del 29 Aprile 1800 e l’altra del 17 Marzo 1801, Le dissi le ragioni che m’inducevano ad intraprendere il viaggio di Pietroburgo. Da Venezia Le scrissi pochi versi, il 17 do. e dopo quella dei 6 xbre 1800, la quale Ella dice nella sua dei 17 Marzo d’aver ricevuto, Le avevo scritto il 5 Febb., il 2 e il 30...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 15 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Dopo la mia dei 6 xbre 1800 (che Ella ricevè) Le scrissi il 5 Febb., il 2 e il 30 Luglio, il 28 7bre, e il 15 9bre 1801. Il 28 7bre Le mandai in un sacchettino dei noccioli di pesche di varie qualità. Al principio Apr. 1802 mi pervennero da Milano coll’istesso corriere le 2 sue dei 29 Ap. 1800, e dei 17 Marzo 1801. Le risposi subito il 10 Aprile, sul punto della mia partenza per Pietroburgo;...