541From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 21 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I receive this moment a letter of which I have the honor to inclose your Excellency a copy. It is on the case of Asquith and others, citizens of the United States, on whose behalf I had taken the liberty of asking your interference. I understand by this letter that they have been condemned to lose their vessel and cargo, and to pay six thousand livres and the costs of the prosecution before...
542[From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Walpole, 24 May 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 24 May 1786 . Entry in SJL reads: “T. Walpole. extract from Limozin’s letter.” Letter not found, but see Limozin to TJ, 21 May 1786 .]
543From Thomas Jefferson to James Warren, 8 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of Oct. 9. by Mr. Barrett. No intimation has yet come to my hands of such an arrangement of the Consular department as is therein mentioned: and I rather suppose that Congress will find their commerce with Portugal so interesting as to be worthy the establishment of a minister or resident at that court. If so, the consulate there would undoubtedly be under...
544From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
A conversation with the Count de Rochambeau yesterday obliges me to write a supplementary letter to that of the 4th. instant. He informs me that he has had applications for paiment from the person who furnished the badges for the Cincinnati, as well the Americans as French, that this person informed him they were not paid for, that he had furnished them indeed on the application of Major...
545From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of Sep. 26. which was delivered me by Mr. Houdon, who is safely returned. He has brought with him the mould of the face only, having left the other parts of his work, with his workmen to come by some other conveiance. Doctor Franklin, who was joined with me in the superintendance of this just monument, having left us before what is called the costume of...
546From Thomas Jefferson to William Whipple, 7 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am emboldened to renew my application to you on the subject of the Moose, the Caribou and the Orignal or elk, from the readiness with which you were so kind as to undertake to assist me with them while in America. The skin, the skeleton and the horns of each, would be an acquisition here more precious than you could conceive. Could I chuse the manner in which I would wish them to be...
547From Thomas Jefferson to Wilt Delmestre & Co., 11 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
On the receipt of your letter of May 3. I sent it to Commodore Jones, in whose hands are the monies for the prizes which are the subject of your letter, and who alone has instructions or powers relative to it. I now inclose you his answer by which you will perceive that the American claims can only be received at the treasury of the United States in New York, and probably not within six months...
548From Thomas Jefferson to Antoine-Félix Wuibert, 22 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Decemb. 12. 1785. came to my hands on the 16th. of February. I immediately wrote to Monsieur Thevenard at L’Orient to obtain an order for your money. I was called to England about a fortnight after, which prevented my receiving Mr. Thevenard’s answer till my return about three weeks ago. That time has been occupied in discussing some claims set up by your father, which he wished...
549From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 29 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by Mr. Paradise, a Græcian and honest man by birth, a gentleman and man of learning by education, and our countryman by choice, the most rational of all titles. I need not say more to ensure him all the services you can render him. He has a heart which will repay your attentions with overflowings of gratitude. Probably he will want your counsels, perhaps too your...
550Notes of a Tour of English Gardens, [2–14 April] 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Memorandums made on a tour to some of the gardens in England described by Whateley in his book on gardening. While his descriptions in point of style are models of perfect elegance and classical correctness, they are as remarkeable for their exactness. I always walked over the gardens with his book in my hand, examined with attention the particular spots he described, found them so justly...
551Enclosure: Résumé de mon avis au Comité du Commerce …, 13 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Résumé de mon avis au Comité du Commerce avec les Etats-unis lorsque la question des tabacs nous a été présentée. En prenant place au comité dont j’ai l’honneur d’Etre Membre je déclarai franchement mon ignorance des details qu’on y doit traiter, et ne me permis que quelques observations Générales sur nos Rapports avec les Etats-unis. Nommés par le Gouvernement pour les Etudier tous, pour...
552Enclosure II: Notices sur la Vie de Benjamin Franklin, 3 September 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
Josias Franklin nè en Angleterre, etabli en Boston en 1680 , a eu sept Enfans d’une premiere femme, & dix d’une seconde. Benjamin est le 8me. des derniers. A l’age de douze Ans Benjamin est mis en apprentissage chez un de ses freres ainès age de vint deux ans , imprimeur a Boston, d’un caractere dur & imperieux. Benj. intelligent, adroit & actif est très utile a son Frere. Il se brouille avec...
553Queries Concerning Trade with the French Colonies, [ca. December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Eclaircissements à Tirer Des Amériquains MS ( DLC ); in clerk’s hand; endorsed by TJ: “Commerce with France—French islds. Queries on”; undated, evidently written in late Nov. or early Dec., for on 2 Jan. 1786 TJ wrote Jay that “certain Questions … proposed … by an Individual” were submitted to him “very soon after” his own letter of 20 Nov. 1785 to Vergennes. Tr ( DNA : PCC , No. 87); in...
554Enclosure: Jefferson’s Report on Conversations with Vergennes, [December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Hearing frequent Complaints in this Country that little of our Commerce came to it, that while our Flag covered the Thames it was rarely to be seen in a Port of France, and that this proceeded from national Prejudices, and observing that this Complaint was often repeated and particularly relied on by those who had opposed our Admission into the French Islands, I thought it necessary on every...
555Enclosure: Draught of a treaty of Amity and Commerce between –– and the United states of America, 11 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The parties being willing &c. [as in the draught proposed to Denmark, except in the following passages] Art. 4 [to be as follows] More especially each party shall have a right to carry any kinds of produce manufactures and merchandize of whatever place they be the growth or manufacture, in their own or any other vessels, to any parts of the dominions of the other, where it shall be lawful for...
556An Interlude at Dolly’s Chop House, [21 March?] 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
MS unavailable. Text and reproduction of signatures from Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries , iii (1879), 44–5, where, under the title “A Diplomatic Round Robin,” the circumstances of the writing of this extempore verse are given as follows: “This amusing trifle, signed by men whom we are taught to revere as grave and reverend seniors, is in the possession of Charles Bruff, of...
557Jefferson’s Amplification of Subjects Discussed with Vergennes, [ca. 20 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Explanations on some of the Subjects of the Conversation which I had the Honor of having with his Excellency the Count de Vergennes when I was last at Versailles. The principal Design of that Conversation was to discuss those Articles of Commerce which the United States could spare, which are wanted in France, and if recieved there on a convenient footing would be exchanged for the Productions...
558I. Projet of a Treaty Submitted by the American Commissioners, [March–April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Draught of a treaty of Amity and Commerce between her Majesty the Queen of Portugal N. 1e and the United States of America. The Parties being willing to fix in a permanent and equitable manner the rules to be observed in the Commerce they desire to establish between their respective Countries, have judged that the said end cannot be better obtained than by taking the most perfect equality and...
559III. Observations by the Commissioners, [March–April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Observations on the alterations proposed in the draught of the treaty between her most faithful majesty, and the U.S. of America. Note 1. 2. 3. Art. 1 & 2 agreed to. Note 4 Art. 2. proposes after the words ‘trade there in all sorts of produce manufactures and merchandize’ in the 2d and 3d clauses, to add ‘the importation of which shall not be prohibited by the laws.’ [A regulation of the...
560Enclosure: Résultat du comité tenu à Berni le 24. May 1786., 24 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Comité, reprenant ses précédentes déliberations relativement au traité fait avec le Sr. Morris; informé des circonstances dans lesquelles il a été passé et qui le rendoient nécessaire; informé pareillement des expéditions de douze mille boucauds de tabac dont M. Le Couteulx, correspondant du Sr. Morris, a annoncé la prochaine arrivée, a pensé unanimement que le traité devoit avoir son...
561Editorial Note: Negotiations for a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Portugal (Jefferson Papers)
The articles of the proposed treaty with Portugal were drawn up, as Jefferson later declared, “almost in the precise terms of those of Prussia” ( TJ to Dumas, 6 May 1786 ; TJ to Humphreys, 7 May 1786 ). It is true that the projet was based on the “General Form” of a treaty as prepared in 1784 (see Vol. 7: 463–79), but the draft that Adams caused his secretary of legation, William Stephens...
562Memorandum of Customs Paid on Model for the Virginia Capitol, [13 June 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
A quit 4₶ 4s. Droist D’anbalage 11₶ 6 plom Et Fermeture 1 4 ports an douanne Et port St. nicolas 3 14 ports pour rouan 3 10 recüe marc 23₶ 18 straw for packing 2
563II. Observations by the Portuguese Minister, [March–April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Observations sur le Traité D’Amitie et de Commerce (N.1 me ) We must conform ourselves, as to the Titles to the following Rule “between her most faithfull Majesty the Queen of Portugal and the Algarvas” &c. Art. I. (N. 2) We must observe in this Article the same Rule, above established. The Rest will meet with no Difficulty. Art. II. (N. 3.) The same observation, in the words underscored. It...
564IV. Additional Observations by the Portuguese Minister, [March–April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Art. XI. There shall be a full and entire Liberty of Conscience allowed, to the Inhabitants and Subjects of each Party, and no one Shall be molested, in regard to his Worship, provided he submits, as to the public Demonstration of it, to the Laws of the Country. There Shall be given moreover Liberty when any Subjects or Inhabitants of either Party, Shall die in the Territory of the other, to...
565Jefferson’s Account of the Stanhope Affair, [1 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
The assault committed in Boston on Capt. Stanhope commander of the British frigate Mercury having been given in several European papers according to the London state of it , candour obliges us to present to the eye of our readers, the same transaction as stated in depositions on oath taken by the order of that government in which it happened. Two citizens of Massachusets, of the names of...
566Enclosure: In the House of Delegates, 14 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas, the relative situation of the United States, has been found on trial, to require uniformity in their commercial regulations, as the only effectual policy for obtaining in the ports of foreign nations a stipulation of privileges reciprocal to those enjoyed by the subjects of such nations in the ports of the United States, for preventing animosities, which cannot fail to arise among the...