1Enclosure I: Abel James to Benjamin Franklin, [1782] (Jefferson Papers)
I have often been desirous of writing to thee, but could not be reconciled to the Thoughts that the Letter might fall into the Hands of the British, lest some Printer or busy Body should publish some Part of the Contents & give our Friends Pain and myself Censure. Some Time since there fell into my Hands to my great joy about 23 sheets in thy own hand-writing containing an Account of the...
2Enclosure 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...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Abbé Morellet, [ca. December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
C’est à moi à vous remercier de tout ce que vous me dites d’obligeant et de l’éclaircissement que vous me donnés relativement aux trois races d’hommes. J’aurai quelques observations à vous communiquer sur ce sujet la premiere fois que j’aurai l’honneur de vous voir. Je vous supplie à cette occasion de me pardonner de n’être pas encore allé vous rendre mes devoirs. J’ai passé le mois de...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Lafayette, June 1785–May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This letter, My dear Sir, Will Be delivered By M. de la Tagnerette a Gentleman Well Acquainted with financeering Matters who is one of the farmers of the Postoffice. He has some ideas Regarding our tobaccoes which I Advised Him to Communicate You. Bonjour My dear friend. LAF. RC ( MHi ); without indication of addressee or date. This letter could have been written at any time between 1785 and...
5From 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...
6To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 1 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Favour of the 18th. did not reach me, till last night. I am glad the Doctor has arrived safe and in so good health, and would fain hope he may contribute to compose the jarring Parties in Pensilvania, as well as assist in improving the Union of the States. Mrs. Rucker has a Letter from her Sister at New York, which mentions the Arrival of Mr. Otto, so that I think Madame la Comtess de...
7To Thomas Jefferson from John Christian Senf, 1 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the Liberty to inform your Excellency, that after I have been about two and twenty Days at this Place, waiting in vain for Captain Laroque’s Vessel to depart (consigned to Mr. Limozin from a Merchant of Rouen) I shal set out to Day for l’Orient, to go with the first Paquet to New York. Mr. Limozin hath advertised the Vessel to sail the 15th. of last Month, but the Captain assured me, He...
8To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 2 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 15th. September, since which I have been honored with yours of the 12th. July by Doctr. Franklin. He arrived at Philadelphia in as good Health as when he left France; but travelling by Land being painful to him, we have not had the Pleasure of seeing him here. We have been for some Time past looking in vain for a french Packet. Late Advices of the Algerines having...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 2 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your several favours of Feby 8 June 21 and July 14 and also a copy of your Notes by Mr. Houdon, for which I am much obliged. It grieves me to the soul that there should be such just grounds for your apprehensions respecting the irritation that will be produced in the southern states by what you have said of slavery. However I would not have you discouraged. This is a cancer...
10[To Thomas Jefferson from Richard O’Bryen, 3 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Algiers, 3 Nov. 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 16 Dec. 1785. Not found.]
11To Thomas Jefferson from Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst, 3 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Amsterdam, 3 Nov. 1785 . Acknowledge receipt of TJ’s letter of 25 Oct.; they are grateful for his advice and are anxious to be of service to him. RC ( DLC ); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, with the signature of the firm; endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 8 Nov. 1785.
12To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 4 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Preston has at last found and sent me your Letter. Dr. Bancroft spoke to me, about Commodore Jones’s Demand upon Denmark: but upon looking into the Papers we found that the Commodore is recommended by Congress wholly to the Minister at the Court of Versailles, so that We were apprehensive our Powers would be disputed. The Danish Minister however was not here; I offered to go with Dr....
13To Thomas Jefferson from Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 4 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Nous avons l’honneur de vous prévenir que nos amis Messrs. Diot et compe. de Morlaix nous ont prévenus que d’apres Leur entretient avec Le Sr. Asquith qu’ils ont apris que leur affaire avoit été porté au Siege des Traittes en cette Ville et que les Srs. Gillard et Floch de maisonneuve etaient les avocats et procureur des susdits; nous avons été les voir sur le Champ et voicy ce qu’ils nous ont...
14From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 4 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of writing you on the 18th. of October and again on the 25th. of the same month. Both letters, being to pass through the post offices, were confined to particular subjects. The first of them acknoleged the receipt of yours of Sep. 29. At length a confidential opportunity arrives for conveying to you a cypher ; it will be handed you by the bearer Mr. Lambe. Copies of it are in...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Richard O’Bryen, 4 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a short letter on the 29th. of September acknowleging the receipt of yours of Aug. 24. from Algiers, and promising that you should hear further from me soon. Mr. Adams the American minister at London, and myself have agreed to authorise the bearer hereof Mr. Lamb to treat for your redemption and that of your companions taken in American vessels, and, if it can be obtained for sums...
16To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 5 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Chevalier de Pinto, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, from Portugal, after a long absence by leave of his Court is lately arrived here from Lisbon. Upon several occasions, when I met him at Court and upon visits, he told me that he had orders from his Court to confer with me upon the Project of a Treaty between the United States and Portugal, but he [nev]er descended to...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Castries, 5 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your Excellency[’s] letter of October the 28th. inclosing copies of Captain Jones receipts of an hundred and five thousand one hundred and eighty five livres, three sols, six deniers, and seventy five thousand eight hundred and fifty three livres eighteen sols four deniers prize money of the Bon homme Richard and the Pallas, which I shall take the first...
18From Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones, 5 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The resolution of Congress of Oct. 29. 1783. is the only one I have seen on the subject of the Danish business. That is directed expressly to ‘the Ministers plenipotentiary of the U.S. at the court of Versailles empowered to negociate a peace.’ It is true that I had the honour of being named in that commission and was preparing to come when we received news of the signature of the preliminary...
19To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 6 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received on the 2d. Inst. from the Person to whom it was inclosed your favor of the 18th. Ulto. I have expected with impatience the arrival of the person or persons of whom you promised to write me fully and to furnish me the means of conveying safely my sentiments to your Excellency. Since my last I have received further Intelligence from Algiers. Our Affairs with that Regency demand...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel and Theodorick Fitzhugh, 7 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 7 Nov. 1785 . Though they were informed that Limozin’s vessel would sail 15 Oct., her departure was scheduled from the beginning for 30 Oct. The delay has consumed all their funds, and they cannot pay their hotel bill. Barclay has already helped them to some extent, but they must again reluctantly apply to him and to TJ for additional loans. RC ( MHi ); 4 p.; endorsed: “Danl. &...
21To Thomas Jefferson from William Carmichael, 8 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I this day received the Letter your Excellency did me the honor to write me the 25th. Ulto. and in consequence I have made an application for the passports requested. Until I see the Gentlemen in question I cannot give my opinion of the probable success of their Business. I hope that in their instructions, proper Attention has been paid to the friendly offers of this Court. If not I foresee...
22[To Thomas Jefferson from Gazaigner de Boyer, 9 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Gaillac, 9 Nov. 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 1 Dec. 1785. Not found; TJ’s Account Book for 21 Dec. 1785 contains the following entry: “Paid Mr. Andrier for le sieur Gazaigner 74₶–8–9 for a barrique of wine de Gaillac dit du Cocq which contains 215 bottles. It took bottles of Bordeaux to fill it up. Note this is the wine which Mr. Adams had bought, and which he desired me to take. I am...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Favi, 10 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
D’après vos observations sur les changements que la Cour de Toscane avoit proposé sur quelques articles du Traité d’amitiè, et de commerce entre Les Citoyens des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique, et les sujets Toscans, elle a dressé une nouvelle Minute de cette Convention et m’a chargè d’avoir L’honneur de vous la communiquer. J’ai celui de vous L’envoyer cy jointe, et de vous observer, qu’il n’y a de...
24To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 11 November [1785] (Jefferson Papers)
11 Nov . [ 1785 ]. Extend dinner invitation to TJ and David Humphreys for that day on the part of Chalut de Verin of the farmers-general; they are to be at the Place Vendôme at two o’clock. D’Estaing will also attend. The Abbés are grateful to TJ for forwarding the letter from Adams. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; dated “Vendredi lle. 9bre.”; addressed.
25[To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Boylston, 11 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Rouen, 11 Nov. 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 13 Nov. 1785. Not found. This letter possibly enclosed Boylston’s proposals to TJ, which TJ in turn transmitted to Lafayette (see under 13 Nov. 1785); it was on 9 Nov. that Boylston wrote John Adams: “I have stated some proposals and laid ’em before the Marquis De Fiat and Mr. Jefferson to be introduced to the minister” (MHi: AMT). See TJ to...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel and Theodorick Fitzhugh, 11 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night your favour of the 7th. and put this under cover to Monsr. Limouzin desiring him to furnish you with four hundred livres which I will pay to his order on sight. I trouble you with some other letters, and would be obliged to you to inform me when you think you shall probably sail as I would still wish to write to Mr. Jay. I really condole with you on your delay, which the...
27From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 11 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night a letter from the Mr. Fitzhughs informing me that the delay of their departure occasioned them to be in want of money. If you will be so good as to furnish them with four hundred livres I will repay it to your bill on me on sight. Be pleased to mention in the bill that it is for so much paid to them by my order. I pray of you the further trouble of delivering them the...
28From Thomas Jefferson to William Wenman Seward, 12 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the honor of your letter of the 25th. Ult. written by desire of the Associated company of Irish merchants in London and return you thanks for the kind congratulations you express therein. The freedom of commerce between Ireland and America is undoubtedly very interesting to both countries. If fair play be given to the natural advantages of Ireland she must come in for a...
29To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 13 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 13 Nov. 1785 . Extend dinner invitation to TJ and his party for that day on the part of Chalut de Verin of the Farmers General; they hope “ qu’il ne lui restera aucune raison de refus .” RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; dated: “dimanche 12. 9bre. 1785”; addressed. Since 12 Nov. 1785 fell on a Saturday, the date of this letter has been corrected to the 13th. TJ evidently had declined the invitation for...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, with Thomas Boylston’s Proposal, [ca. 13 November 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Boylston proposes to bring to France this next year from 100 to 500 tons of Spermaceti whale oil on the following terms. 1. Government to remit all duties on it to permit him to take freight back to the W. Indies and there to take sugar and molasses for the U.S. He will lay out half the price received in the productions and manufactures of France and will sell them at auction in America,...