4001To Thomas Jefferson from Feger, Gramont & Cie., 19 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 19 Aug. 1788 . Opportunities to recall themselves to TJ being rare, they seize this one eagerly: have just received by the ship Kitty & Maria a packet for TJ so voluminous that it would be costly to send by post, and they have taken advantage of an opportunity today to send it to Grand & Cie., whom they have notified also. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; in French; endorsed.
4002To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 20 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I receiv’d ⅌ last post a Letter under my Cover from you for the Honble. J. Jay, which I have deliverd to Mrs. Barclay.-Mrs. Barclay with her family arrived in good health on Saturday. They are on their passage to America having left this early this morning. One of the papers you deliverd Mrs. Barclay was the Inclosed paquet that she apprehends was put up thro mistake and has given it me to...
4003To Thomas Jefferson from Francisco Chiappe, 20 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mequinez, 20 Aug. 1788 . In his letter of 6 Mch. he promised to obtain a reply to the letter sent by Congress to the Emperor, but on his return to Morocco he found the Emperor on the point of departure on a long campaign against some rebellious provinces. He has been able only now to remind his majesty of the reply, which the latter ordered to be written at once, together with letters to the...
4004To Thomas Jefferson from Geismar, 20 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
La presence de mon Maitre le Landgrave m’a empeche jusqu’ici de Vous repondre plus tot. Depuis quelques Jours il est retourné à Cassel, c’est ce qui me permet de mieu disposer de mon tems. Msrs. Rutledge et Schippen, les quels Vous m’avés annoncés dans Votre derniere, ont passés içi, deux jeunes Gens qui repondent parfaitement à Votre description et dont l’éducation fait honneur au pais où ils...
4005To Thomas Jefferson from John Rutledge, Jr., [ca. 20] August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
On my arrival at this place, two days ago, I had the pleasure to receive yours of the fifteenth of July. It is impossible to desire more than I do to make the journey you propose, and follow the route you have had the goodness to mark out, but the actual state of affairs forbids my thinking of it. Col. Miranda, who has for some days been my traveling companion, is very well acquainted with the...
4006To Thomas Jefferson from Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 21 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am, before I begin the Subject of this Letter to beg of Your Excellency to keep Secret what I shall communicate to you. It concerns my Country, It concerns your Exellency to assist many persons, but the assistance is only your advice, and Protection. I am serious when I beg you to keep Secret from every person in the World what I am to beg of you. Before I begin, permit me to open my heart...
4007To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 22 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose the latest pennsylvania newspaper which I can procure; likewise a Baltimore paper for the sake of General Washington’s letter . I also take the freedom to inclose a letter for Mr. Shippen from his father, not knowing where to direct to him, and imagining that Mr. Short will add to his former goodness the additional kindness to forward it in a direction likely to...
4008From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
My last went via England in the hands of a Swiss gentleman who had married an American lady, and was returning with her to his own country. He proposed to take Paris in his way. By that opportunity I inclosed copies of the proceedings of this State on the subject of the Constitution. North Carolina was then in Convention, and it was generally expected would in some form or other have fallen...
4009To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 23 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My last went vià England in the hands of a Swiss gentleman who had married an American lady, and was returning with her to his own country. He proposed to take Paris in his way. By that opportunity I inclosed copies of the proceedings of this State on the subject of the Constitution. North Carolina was then in Convention, and it was generally expected would in some form or other have fallen...
4010To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 23 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith I take the Liberty to cover you a Letter from my Father, Colo. Mason of Virginia, which had promised myself the pleasure of delivering, but a Want of the Language and Engagements in Business have obliged me to defer my Trip to Paris untill some period during the Winter; when I shall do myself the Honour of paying my Respects to you in person. As perhaps you have had no late Accounts...
4011[To Thomas Jefferson from John Rutledge, 23 August 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
[[ [ Charleston, S.C. ] 23 Aug. 1788. Recorded in SJL Index, but not found.]]
4012To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Appleton, 24 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter of July 29th. The absence from Town of the Director of the Customs has prevented my replying till this time. The result of my inquiries is thus. That the Arret in which is Clas’d the SpermaCæti candles, after enumerating the duties upon a great variety of merchandize, there is then article which says that all foreign merchandize of whatever...
4013To Thomas Jefferson from Madame d’Houdetot, 26 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Recevés, Monsieur, mon Compliment bien sincere sur L’Evennement qui decide votre Constitution Et sur L’Esperance qui suit que vous serés Les peuples Les plus heureux Et Les mieux gouvernés Du Globe. C’est une Consolation pour ceux meme qui sont loin D’un pareil Bonheur. Une Lettre D’amerique Viens de M’aprendre Cette heureuse nouvelle Et La joye que L’adhésion de la Virginie a causé a...
4014To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 28 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai appris avec grand plaisir, que la Gazette de Leide a été rétablie en France. Ayez la bonté, Monsieur, de m’apprendre, si Votre Excellence et Mr. Diodati avez recommencé à recevoir vos Exemplaires du Bureau et de la maniere ordinaire, afin que je puisse mander à Mr. Luzac de discontinuer l’expédition qu’il vous en fait par la poste, et lui offrir en même temps le paiement de ce qu’il en a...
4015To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, with Enclosure, 29 August–9 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Some of my Friends in America did me the honor to ask for my Bust. I inclose the Names of eight Gentlemen, to each of whom I promis’d to send one. You will oblige me much, by desiring Mr. Houdan to have them prepared and pack’d up two and two; and if Mr. Short, to whom I present my Respects, will take the trouble to forward them by good Opportunities via Havre de Grace, writing, at the same...
4016To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 30 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed paper contains some few articles of intelligence which perhaps may not have reached you by any other channel. When the last vessels quitted New York about the 8th of July, the convention of that State still continued to debate upon the great question of rejecting or adopting the national constitution and it is with concern I perceive that the probabilities against an immediate...
4017To Thomas Jefferson from John Rutledge, Jr., 30 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honor to receive by this days post, yours of August 12th. My getting it was very accidental. In the hurry of leaving Berne it never occur’d to me telling the post master what was to be done with any letters he might receive for me, and I am indebted to a friend of mine for sending forward yours from Berne where, I imagine, from the length of time which has intervened between its...
4018From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
I was very much gratified by the receipt of your letter, dated the 3d of May. You have my best thanks for the political information contained in it, as well as for the satisfactory account of the Canal of Languedoc. It gives me pleasure to be made acquainted with the particulars of that stupendous work, tho’ I do not expect to derive any but speculative advantages from it. When America will be...
4019To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Brionne, 31 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mad. La Comtesse de Brionne fait mille complimens à Monsieur de Jefferson, elle est arrivée de la campagne et doit repartir mercredy; dans cet interval, il lui seroit bien essentiel d’avoir l’honneur de voir Monsieur de Jefferson; l’obligeance avec laquelle il a bien voulu lui répondre confirme sa confiance. Elle lui demande donc de vouloir bien lui faire dire quel Jour et à quelle heure, elle...
4020To Thomas Jefferson from Gaudenzio Clerici, [31 August 1788?] (Jefferson Papers)
It cannot be pride; it cannot be diffidence; nor can it be a false sentiment of shame to acknowledge my poverty already Known to you, that I feel an unsurmountable discouragement in soliciting again by words of mouth your uman assistance in this present Epoca of distress. It is, Honble. Sir, a right apprehension of the danger, in which I expose myself to lose thro’ importunity and indiscretion...
4021To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 31 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I was very much gratified by the receipt of your letter, dated the 3d. of May.—You have my best thanks for the political information contained in it, as well as for the satisfactory account of the Canal of Languedoc.—It gives me pleasure to be made acquainted with the particulars of that stupendous work, tho’ I do not expect to derive any but speculative advantages from it.—When America will...
4022To Thomas Jefferson from H. & L. Bergasse, Frères, September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Marseilles, Sep. 1788 . Introduce “Mr. Simon” who proposes to establish a business in America and wishes, therefore, to talk with TJ. RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; in French; endorsed by TJ: “Bergasse. Gave M. Simon lre. to T. Barclay.” The letter of introduction of Simon to Thomas Barclay is not recorded in SJL Index and has not been found, nor is the present letter recorded in SJL Index.
4023To Thomas Jefferson from Gaudenzio Clerici, [1 September 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
I have received—I am so confused in the generous act and generous expressions you make use of that know not how to thank You, or how to reproach myself. May you live happy Honble. Sir. RC ( DLC ); written on a scrap of paper, unsigned, undated, and unaddressed; ascribed to Clerici on the basis of handwriting; date supplied conjecturally on the basis of TJ’s letter to Clerici of 31 Aug. 1788.
4024To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Nesbitt, 2 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Not having the honor of being Personally known to you, I must begin by beging your excuse for the trouble I am about to give you. It is by the advice of Mr. R. Morris that I now adress you, who this day assured me that I might do so in full Confidence that you would endeavor to obtain what I desire. I will therefore without further preamble proceed to acquaint you with my situation. During the...
4025To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 2 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your letter of the 24th. August and having seen no secondhand Carriage to my mind, have given orders for the new one: which I trust will be both substantial and elegant:—There are three articles however in your description which being extraordinary will add to the price:—the Venetian blinds are not much us’d here, tho they are much better for a hot Climate than the common ones, and they...
4026To Thomas Jefferson from John Rutledge, Jr., 4 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In the month of September or October last, I do not exactly recollect which, I remember seeing at your house the skin of a very large animal which was sent to you from the northern part of America. You told me, I think, Monsr. de Buffon had seen this skin and that the beast was unknown to him and that you supposed it peculiar to America: Mr. de Saussure, who is engaged in perfecting his...
4027To Thomas Jefferson from Willink & Van Staphorst, 4 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
We have now to acquaint Your Excellency that Willm. Carmichael Esqr. Chargé des Affaires of the United States to the Court of Madrid, has valued upon us ƒ 4614.3 Banco, in consequence of your Advice to him. He has however neglected following your Desire to send his first Bills to you, so that they now appear without our having any Instructions on the Subject. We have requested the Holders to...
4028To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Osborn, 5 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Charly ], 5 Sep. 1788 . Unknown to TJ and ashamed for her request, she is in want, lives in a remote, cheap place, and asks him to send “any relief let it be never so small” in care of “Monsieur Pinondel directeur de la poste aux Lettres a Charli, pour remettre à Madame Osborn.” [ In postscript :] “I am old and shall not be troubleso[me]. I confide you are too much a Gentleman not to keep my...
4029To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 5 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Diligence which left this yesterday morning I sent two Books for Mr. Short and Lackington’s Catalogue of September for you. They were made up in a parcel address’d to you, and the Directeur du Bureau here assur’d me should be delivered to you immediately upon arrival without the delay of the office.—I hope you will have receiv’d them and before the departure of Mr. Short: of whom I must...
4030To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 6 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I was sensibly mortified on perusal of your letter of the 23d of Aug. to find that I was not the medium through which the earliest information of the late important event in Virginia reached you from England. Especially as the prompt communication of fresh american intelligence has hitherto been the only return I cou’d make for a throng of obligations with which You have so surrounded me that...
4031To Thomas Jefferson from Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst, 8 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
We are honored with Your Excellency’s ever respected favor of 1 Inst, with the agreeable Intelligence of the Accession of the State of New York to the New Federal Constitution, For which We return You our most sincere and hearty Thanks. This is an Event We deem of great Consequence, as it will stamp such a Weight upon the Meeting of the new Congress, as will render equally contemptible as...
4032To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, 9–15 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
That I am a bad correspondent is so general a complaint against me, that I must expect the same accusation from you—But hear me first.—When there is no matter to write upon a letter is not worth the trouble of receiving and reading, and while any thing, which is to be the subject of a letter, is in suspence, it is difficult to write, and perhaps best to let it alone—“ least said is soonest...
4033To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 9 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have sooner thanked you for your favor of the 12th Ulto which I received on the 24th Had I not expected that the Courier who will bring you this would have set out sooner. I have no Official Letters from America, But by a packet from NY This Court has received despatches from Mr. Gardoqui to the 28th of July which announce the acceptation of the Constitution. Mr. Gardoqui writes me on...
4034To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, with Enclosure, 9 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I wrote you last from Copenhagen, the 8th of April, I have been very much hurried; but my greatest difficulty has not been want of time, but want of a private opportunity to write to you. Mr. Littlepage is now on the point of leaving the army of the Prince Maréchal de Potemkin, and talks of being at Paris in the month of October. I avail myself, therefore, of the opportunity he offers,...
4035[To Thomas Jefferson from John Rutledge, 9 September 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
[[ Charleston, S.C. ] 9 Sep. 1788. Recorded in SJL Index, but not found.]]
4036To Thomas Jefferson from John Ledyard, 10 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a short letter from Alexandria and addressed it under cover to Mr. Cathalan and sent it to Marseilles by the same vessel I came in from thence to Egypt where I arrived the 5th. of August. I begin this letter without knowing when I shall close it or when I shall send it—and indeed whether I ever shall send it: but I will have it ready in case an opportunity should offer. Having been...
4037To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 11 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 11 Sep. 1788 . As directed in TJ’s of the 1st, he has countermanded the sending of the Gazette de Leide by post and has asked the cost, which he will take care of and inform TJ. “Un singulier Message qu’on vient de me faire” will require another dispatch for Congress, which he will try to have ready for tomorrow’s post. RC ( DLC ). FC (Dumas Letter Book, Rijksarchief, The Hague;...
4038To Thomas Jefferson from Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 11 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to thank your Excellency for your Answer, and to assure you of my Gratitude to your family the first Moment I have it in my power. You may suppose Mr. Paradise has, from his Conversation written to England. He has not, and at his house when alone with me, he appears not to seem inclined to write; and if he does not write before he leaves Paris he will not do it after. I...
4039To Thomas Jefferson from Willink & Van Staphorst, 11 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Amsterdam, 11 Sep. 1788 . Acknowledge TJ’s letters of 30 Aug. and 1 Sep.; they have taken notice of Carmichael’s draft on them for ƒ4,613 3s. and TJ’s two orders for Grand & Cie. for ƒ2,312 10s. and ƒ277 10s; and will pay at maturity and charge to the United States. RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; endorsed; in hand of Nicholas Hubbard, signed by the two firms.
4040To Thomas Jefferson from Etienne Clavière, 12 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Le porteur de la presente est Monsieur Dupont Beaufrere de Monsieur Brissot de Warville . Il se propose de passer en Amérique plutot que plutard; et voudroit n’être pas dans la nécessité de s’embarquer en Angleterre. Il merite à tous égards l’interest que vous voudrez bien prendre à lui. La Guerre l’a obligé d’abandonner des établissemens qu’il avoit fait en Crimée et qu’il pourra remplacer...
4041To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Je m’étois proposé l’honneur d’écrire aujourd’hui à Votre Excellence, selon ma Lettre d’hier, sur un Message singulier que je reçus hier. Toute réflexion faite, il vaut mieux différer cela jusqu’à la semaine prochaine, afin de mettre le tout en son entier sous les yeux du Congrès et de Votre Excellence, m’étant engagé d’ici à Lundi matin à répondre au dit Message, et à un autre reçu ce matin...
4042To Thomas Jefferson from Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 12 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellencies humanity to my Cries to have things arrainged so as to have some supply not to be obliged to beg money of My Children has so indeared you and your family to me that I shall think of it, forever and ever. When your Letter came, Mr. P was not awake, therefore he desired me after he awoke to read it to him. I did, I said nothing to him, but your goodness melted me.—I hope he...
4043To Thomas Jefferson from Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 13 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
As I am now put in full possession of the dividends by Your Excellencies great humanity and exertions, I am to acquaint you that I shall send an Order directly to Mr. Anderson to pay the October Dividend to Dr. Bancroft for to inable him to pay those debts he has mentioned in his Letter to me. I acquainted your Excellency in a Letter, I wrote to you the other day, that Mr. Paradise would not...
4044To Thomas Jefferson from Blan, 14 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Jei ut lhoneur de me presenter à votre hotel Le 21 du moi dergné pour avoir selui de vous entretenir, Monsieur, dun objet qui et fait pour interreser les eta uni. En juillet 85. jave ut lhoneur de vous presenter des Essé d’un plan de travail quia reuni par un nouvel essé le sufrage des Conneseur, et quil poure meriter le votre lorsque vous En Conetre le produits. Pour Cet Efaits je vous prie,...
4045To Thomas Jefferson from La Rouerie, 15 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
From your conversation with Major Schaffner and myself last spring, I had no doubt But congress would by this time have pay’d us the three year’s interest which are due to us By North America. In considering the nature of the debt and the character and wealth of the debtor, we had no reason to fear a delay so very near a Bankruptcy. I confess to you, Sir, that I can not understand the motives...
4046To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Bancroft, 16 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel it incumbent on me first to express my grateful Sense of your Kindness to Mr. Dobbyn, and next to acknowledge your Favour of the 24th. ulto. which Mr. Trumbul obligingly conveyed to me without loss of time. I have considered the arrangements which you have taken the trouble of stating to me and which Mr. Paradise (by the aid of your Council I presume) has taken for Liquidating his...
4047To Thomas Jefferson from John Brown Cutting, 16 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your respective favours of Sepr. 4th and 9th are before me. For both but especially for the last accept my sincere thanks. Truth and certainty are always most grateful to the human mind. Your mode of conveying them and the important objects concerning which you enlighten me, render what is naturally pleasant particularly interesting and grateful. As my passage to South Carolina must be...
4048To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 16 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
La Lecture que Votre Excellence fera de la Dépeche ci-jointe pour le Congrès, ne me laisse rien à ajouter, sinon le desir de savoir, lorsque V. E. voudra bien m’en accuser la réception, son sentiment personnel du tout, dont je fais le plus grand cas, suite naturelle du vrai et sincere respect avec lequel je suis De Votre Excellence Le très-humble & très-obéissant servitr, RC ( DLC ). FC (Dumas...
4049[To Thomas Jefferson from John Paradise, 16 September 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
[[ Paris, 16 Sep. 1788 . Recorded in SJL Index, but not found.]]
4050To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Russell-Greaves, 17 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
After a journey of three weeks taking Dijon and Avignon in my way I have arrived at Nismes and have been here a fortnight. I was delighted with the Country I travelled through; finding every spot of Ground cultivated in the highest perfection, even the highest and most craggy hills, which Nature seemed to have intended to be useless, by the Industry of the Husbandman are harrowed and covered...