31To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Bancroft, 18 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Paradise who married one of the Daughters of the late Col. Ludwell of Virginia, and who is a Gentleman very justly esteemed for his integrity and benevolence of heart has requested me to Sollicit the favour of your Countenance and Assistance, in accellerating the payment of about one thousand Pounds, due to him upon the Securities of the State of Virginia, now in the Hands of his Steward...
32From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 19 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you on the 11th. of Octob. by Mr. Preston and again on the 18th. of the same month by post. Since that yours of Sep. 25. by Mr. Boylston, Oct. 24. Nov. 1. and Nov. 4. have come safe to hand. I will take up their several subjects in order. Boylston’s object was first to dispose of a cargo of sperma ceti oyl which he brought to Havre. A secondary one was to obtain a contract for...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 20 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your two letters of Octob. 19. and 25. by Mr. Fox and Doctor Rodgers since the date of my last. I am to thank you for your state of Stanhope’s case. It has enabled me to speak of that transaction with a confidence of which I should otherwise have been deprived by the different state of it in the public papers and the want of information from America. I have even...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Baptiste Huron, 20 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I will endeavor to give you the best information I can on the subject of your enquiries about the 200,000 acres of land in the counties of Fayette, Montgomery and Ohio which Mr. Pentecost and his partner oblige themselves to have conveyed to you by patents or otherwise as a security for 8000£ Pennsylvania money, and which you are desired to sell. By the term ‘patent’ I presume they had not in...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 20 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I found here on my return from Fontainebleau the letter of Octob. 30. which your excellency did me the honour there of informing me had been addressed to me at this place, and I shall avail myself of the first occasion of transmitting it to Congress, who will receive with great pleasure these new assurances of the friendly sentiments which his Majesty is pleased to continue towards the United...
36To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 21 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 21 Nov. 1785 Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 11 Nov. and promises to forward its enclosure to the Fitzhugh brothers by the Andrew , which sails for Norfolk within the next two weeks. Before they sailed on 10 Nov., the brothers “found them selves in the most disagreable Circumstance possible for Gentlemen of Honor.” On Barclay’s recommendation they had applied to Limozin for 1,000 livres...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Jean-Armand Tronchin, [after 22 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, after 22 Nov. 1785 .] Formal note announcing his presentation on 22 Nov. 1785 to the King and the royal family as minister from the republic of Geneva. RC ( DLC ); 1 p.; in French; undated. To Lister Asquith
38From Thomas Jefferson to Lister Asquith, 23 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 14th. inst. It was not till the 8th. of this month that I could obtain information from any quarter, of the particular court in which your prosecution was instituted, and the ground on which it was founded. I then received it through the hands of Messrs. Desbordes at Brest. I have sent to the count de Vergennes a state of your case, of which the inclosed is a...
39To Thomas Jefferson from William Drayton, 23 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
As Chairman of the Committee of the South Carolina Society for promoting and improving agriculture and other rural Concerns, I am directed to inform your Excellency, that you are unanimously elected an honorary Member of that Society; and I herewith transmit to your Excellency a Copy of an Address and their Rules, publish’d at their Institution. I have the Honour to be with great Respect Your...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 24 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope if the Marquiss de la Fayette is returned to Paris he may be able to give us some account of Colln. Smith for whom we are not a little anxious, having no intelligence from him since the begining of September when he wrote that he should tarry at Berlin till the reviews were over which would be by the 20th. of that month and then should make the utmost expedition to Paris where his stay...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 24 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eu l’honneur de recevoir, Messieurs, la lettre du 4me. Novembre que vous avez bien voulu m’adresser, et j’ai tardé de vous faire mes remerciments des soins dont vous avez la bonté de vous charger des prisonniers Americains, en esperant toujours de recevoir une ordre pour leur elargissement et de me profiter de votre adresse pour le faire passer avec certitude à leurs mains. Mais n’en...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Diot & Cie., 24 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Octob. 26 . came safely to hand and should sooner have been acknowleged, but that I have wished at the same time to convey through your hands whatever indulgence the government would be pleased to grant to the American prisoners to whom you have been so kind as to extend your attention. Having as yet however been unable to procure any order in their favor I cannot longer delay...
43From Thomas Jefferson to J. A. Gautier, 24 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your letter last night and meant to have answered it this morning, but it escaped me. I really am at a loss what to say. I do not consider myself as having any authority to direct the application of the public money except where it relates immediately to my own transactions. My private opinion is that the present bill should be governed by what has been the usual proceeding between...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Ferdinand Grand, 24 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
In Consequence of the letter which you did me the honour of writing me this morning I thought that I could not but decline paying Mr. Carmichael’s Bill, as I am not impowered to discharge his Drafts for account of the States, but was on the contrary enjoined Several times by Mr. Morris not to pay any Sum except upon his own Bills, which Directions the present Commissioners of the Treasury have...
45[To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 24 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Le Havre, 24 Nov. 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 1 Dec. 1785. Not found.]
46To Thomas Jefferson from De Laflotte, 25 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
M. De Laflotte s’est présenté chez Monsieur Jefferson, Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale, pour avoir l’honneur de le voir et de lui faire part qu’il vient d’être accrédité auprès du Ministère de Sa Majesté très chrétienne, en qualité de Résident des Villes Anséatiques. RC ( DLC ); addressed.
47From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Elder, 25 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter by Doctor Lyons has been safely delivered me. Mr. Short on his arrival here from Virginia had informed me that the young Mr. Randolphs were either gone or going to Edinburgh and since that I have received the same information from Doctor Currie in a letter. I consider that really as the best position in Europe for the acquisition of real science: and that it will be very...
48From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 25 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the day before yesterday your favor of the 21st. and thank you for your care of my letter to the Mr. Fitzhughs. In mine of Nov. 11. addressed to you I took the liberty of asking you to furnish them with four hundred livres and to draw on me for the money. Instead of this you will be pleased to consider the twenty guineas (mentioned in your letter) as advanced at my request and to...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 25 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to hear, by letter from Mr. Elder, that your health is infirm, and that it is likely to become necessary on that account for yourself, your brother and cousin to remove to the continent of Europe. Edinburgh had the two advantages of possessing science in as high a degree as any place in the world, and of conveying it in your native tongue. Places may be found on the continent which...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Jean-Armand Tronchin, [ca. 25 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson, ministre plenipotentiaire des etats-unis d’Amerique, est venu pour avoir l’honneur de voir Monsieur Tronchin et lui faire son compliment sur ce qu’il a eté presenté à leur Majestés et à la famille royale en qualité de Ministre de la republique de Geneve. Dft ( DLC ); undated. The date has been assigned from Tronchin’s announcement of his accreditation on 22 Nov. 1785,...
51From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. came to hand yesterday, and Colo. Smith and Colo. Humphries (by whom you will receive one of the 19th. from me) being to set out tomorrow, I hasten to answer it. I sincerely rejoice that Portugal is stepping forward in the business of treaty, and that there is a probability that we may at length do something under our commissions which may produce a solid benefit to our...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Henley, 27 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I receive this moment your kind letter of the 16th. and a private opportunity to London offering tomorrow morning, I avail myself of it to acknowledge the receipt. Mr. Johnson’s draught of which you advise me shall be punctually honoured. The fears you are so kind as to express on the subject of my family, are but too well founded. The domestic loss I sustained was the only circumstance which...
53To Thomas Jefferson from Lister Asquith, 28 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
St. Pol de Léon, 28 Nov. 1785 . They have now been in prison for fourteen weeks “and yet have no appearance of our releasement without you have got it finished at Paris.” Asquith heard from Desbordes, Frères that they had written to TJ advising him to try to have the case settled by the French ministry. “As they [the Farmers-General] could find no flaw against us for smugling they now pretend...
54[From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 28 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 28 Nov. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Limozin. For Mazzei’s trunk.” Not found.]
55To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 28 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday the Letter your Excellency hath Honored me with the 25th. of this Month. My Friends Messrs. Payen Brothers Merchants, rue Tiqueton No. 7 will present you a draft of Messrs. Fitzhughs on you in my behalf and unto my order for the Four Hundred and Eighty Lyvers they have had of me, and you will see that the said draft acknowledgeth it is for money they have had of me for...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
You desire me to give you an idea of the Origin and Object of our court of Chancery, the Limits of it’s jurisdiction, and it’s Tendency to render property and liberty more or less secure in a country where that security is infinitely valued. The purpose for which you require this obliges me to be concise, as indeed does my situation here, where, as you know, I am without books which might...
57To Thomas Jefferson from Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 30 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Brest, 30 Nov. 1785. They acknowledge receipt of TJ’s letter of 24 Nov. They have forwarded the packet received with it to Diot & Cie. at Morlaix and enclose a translation of a letter from Lister Asquith which they have answered. The situation of the prisoners is the same, but Desbordes will inform TJ as soon as anything important occurs. “ En attendant ces malheureux ont besoin de votre...
58To Thomas Jefferson from Vergennes, 30 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Vous êtes sûrement informé, Monsieur, qu’un négociant de Boston , ayant amené en france des huiles de baleine, n’a pu trouver à les vendre à cause des droits imposés sur cette espèce de marchandise, droits qui sont acquittés par toutes les nations, à l’exception des villes anséatiques. M. le Controleur-général, touché de la perte qu’éprouveroit le négociant dont il s’agit, si on...
59To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 2 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Nathaniel Barrett, a Gentleman of a respectable Family in Boston, of a fair Character and long Experience in Trade, will have the Honour to deliver you this Letter. He comes to France for the express Purpose of negotiating with proper Persons concerning the Proposals of Monsieur Tourtille de Sangrain, relative of Sperma Cœti oil. I beg Leave to recommend him and his Business to your...
60To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, 2 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am greatly obliged by your attention to Jack from whom I have had no letter since his arrival at Avignon. Our Post is so uncertain that I have not thought it prudent to risk any letters for France by that Conveyance to N. York, to go in the Packet, and this is the first ship that has Sailed from this Place for several Months. The inclosed are put under your Protection as I do not know how to...
61[To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, 2 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Le Havre, 2 Dec. 1785. Recorded in SJL as received 5 Dec. 1785. Not found.]
62From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 2 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honour of receiving your Excellency’s letter of November the 30th. in which you are pleased to inform me of the late abatement of the duties on all fish oils, made from fish taken by citizens of the United States and brought into this kingdom, in French or in American bottoms: and I am now to return thanks for this relief given to so important a branch of our commerce. I shall...
63From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 4 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Gatteaux observing that there will be an anachronism, if, in making a medal to commemorate the victory of Saratoga, he puts on General Gates the insignia of the Cincinnati which did not exist at that date. I wrote him in answer that I thought so too: but that you had the direction of that business, that you were now in London, that I would write to you and probably...
64To Thomas Jefferson from Lister Asquith, 5 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
St. Pol de Léon, 5 Dec. 1785 . Acknowledges TJ’s “kind and most exceptionable Letter.” He is relieved to know TJ has received the necessary papers and finds only two errors in TJ’s statement of his case: “1st. The Register which was taken out by Capt. Charles Harrison (when I was sick) unknown to me for 21 Tons (as he inform’d me, to save port charges), but he did not own any part of her. 2nd....
65To Thomas Jefferson from Antoine-Félix Wuibert, 5 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Cape Français, Santo Domingo, 5 Dec. 1785. Though unknown to TJ, he appeals to him, as a loyal citizen of the United States, concerning his rights. Born at “ Mézières-sur-Meuse en Champagne, ” he left his large family many years ago and lived some time in Santo Domingo with “ un parent fort-Respectable, M. Du Portal, Lieutenant général des armées du Roy. ” After this relative’s untimely death,...
66To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 6 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Un ami respectable m’avoit promis de se charger de mes Lettres et de vous les remettre: mais comme son départ ne pourra avoir lieu que dans la huitaine, parce qu’il sera porteur de la ratification du Traité d’Alliance, qui ne peut être prête plutôt, je prends le parti de la poste, dans l’espérance que les incluses pourront partir encore ce mois-ci par le paquebot de l’Orient avec les Dépeches...
67[To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners of the Treasury, 6 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[New York, 6 Dec. 1785. Recorded in SJL as received 18 Jan. 1786 from “S. Osgood & W. Livingston. Board of Treasury … by the [packet?] and post.” The date of the letter is illegible in SJL and is supplied from TJ’s reply of 26 Jan. 1786. Not found. Enclosure: A copy of the Commissioners to Ferdinand Grand, 5 Dec. 1785 (DLC), acknowledging his letter of 16 July 1785; the balance in his account...
68To Thomas Jefferson from Geismar, 6 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Apres avoir reçu il y a quelque tems un Billet du bureau de Poste à Paris qui m’apprennait qu’il y avait une lettre pour moi de restée faute d’affranchissement, je donnais mes ordres pour me la faire parvenir et je ne tiens celle de Votre Excellence du 6. de Sept. que depuis quelques Jours. Elle m’a infiniment flatté me rassurant de ne pas etre absolument oublié malgres toutes les occupations...
69To Thomas Jefferson from Neil Jamieson, 6 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 6 Dec. 1785 . Encloses letter for TJ that came “some time since, immediately after the sending of the former packet”; also sends “a parcel of our Newspapers.” RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 19 Jan. 1786. Enclosures: The letter has not been identified; among the newspapers sent there was certainly the issue of the New York Daily Advertiser for 6 Dec. 1785, in...
70[To Thomas Jefferson from André Limozin, ca. 6 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Le Havre, ca. 6 Dec. 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 8 Dec. 1785 “Without date. About Boylston’s ship.” Not found. TJ struck out “Havre” in the entry.]
71To Thomas Jefferson from P. Tourtille Sangrain, 6 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Ce n’est que de hier que j’ay pu obtenir du Bureau des fermes L’instruction sur les droits des huilles que vous trouverez cy-Joint: par Laquelle vous verrez, Monsieur, que Les droits de 7₶. 10s. par Barique sont Bien Conformes à L’extrait de la lettre de M. de Calonne. Mais Sy la Compagnie du Nantucket accepte La Soumission que je luy ay faite de me charger d’environ 16 milles quintaux de...
72To Thomas Jefferson from Neil Jamieson, 7 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 7 Dec. 1785 . Sent yesterday the Daily Advertiser containing Lewis Littlepage’s letter to John Jay; now encloses today’s issue with Jay’s reply. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 19 Jan. 1786. Enclosure: The New York Daily Advertiser for 7 Dec. 1785, containing Jay’s reply and an address to the public (also printed in William Jay, Life of John Jay , i , 208–22).
73To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 7 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The last Letter I have had the Pleasure of receiving from you is dated the 14th. August last. My last to you is dated the 2d. Ult: by Mr. Houdon who I hope has by this Time safely arrived. Nothing of importance has since occurred except the Arrival of Mr. Temple, respecting whom I enclose the Copy of an Act of Congress of 2d. Instant. With great Esteem & Regard I have the Honor to be &ca., You...
74To Thomas Jefferson from John Langdon, 7 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honor’d with your freindly favor of the 11’th September by Capt. Yeaton. I return you my most hearty thanks for your kind Congratulations and Expressions towards me, and Mrs. Langdon. Am much obliged for the notice you were pleased to take of Capt. Yeaton. The political and commercial information you were pleased to communicate demands my thanks. Great Britain seems determined to pursue...
75From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 8 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a copy of a letter of mine to Mr. Grand which will explain to you a difficulty which arose as to a bill of exchange to which your name was subscribed. Considering myself as no ways authorized to direct the funds of the U.S. in France I had originally refused to intermeddle at all. But Mr. Grand would not pay at all then. I thereupon have undertaken to advise him till I can...
76[From Thomas Jefferson to Gazaigner de Boyer, 8 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 8 Dec. 1785 . Recorded in SJL under this date. Not found. ]
77[From Thomas Jefferson to P. Tourtille Sangrain, 8 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 8 Dec. 1785 . 1785. Recorded in SJL under this date. Not found.]
78To Thomas Jefferson from Diodati, 9 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 9 Dec. 1785 . Formal notice of presentation to the king as minister of the “Duc de Mecklembourg-Schwérin.” RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; in French; addressed. Not recorded in SJL .
79To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 9 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
From the public papers which will go by the Packet you will percieve that a very indecent attack has been made upon me by a Mr. Littlepage, who was formerly in my family, and from whom I merit better things. It has so happened, however among the few Enemies I have the far greater Part are men on whom I have conferred essential Benefits. This young man does not stand single. I have no Reason to...
80To Thomas Jefferson from Janet Livingston Montgomery, 9 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I would on the strength of an acquaintance take the liberty to commit to your care, the inclosed letter which I have long owed the Marquis. Yet should our acquaintance not admit of such a liberty and ask an apology, I fear I have not one sufficiently satisfactiory to either—unless you will permit me, to make use of one which must be common to all who have had the honour to be known to your...