1To 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...
2Jefferson’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...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6[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.]
7To 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.
8To 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....
9To 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...
10From 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...
11From 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...
12To 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...
13From 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...
14From 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...
15To 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...
16To 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. &...
17To 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...
18[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...
19To 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...
20To 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.
21[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...
22From 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...
23From 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...
24From 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...
25To 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...
26From 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,...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Lister Asquith, 14 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
St. Pol de Léon, 14 Nov. 1785 . Asquith has heard nothing from TJ since his letter of 12 Oct., but he encloses a letter from Picrel informing him that the case is to be settled at Paris. Diot says he has written TJ of this and thinks, since the arrangements were made in Brest, that Desbordes could give Asquith more information than he. At the advice of the judge of the admiralty, Asquith this...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, with State of the Case of the William & Catherine, 14 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the Liberty of troubling your Excellency on Behalf of six Citizens of the United States who have been for some Time confined in the Prisons of St. Pol de Léon, and of referring for particulars to the inclosed State of their Case. Some of the material Facts therein mentioned are founded on the Bill of Sale for the Vessel, her Clearance from Baltimore and her Logbook. The Originals of the...
29To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I acknowledged from Philada. your favor of the 11 of May. On my return to Orange I found the copy of your notes brought along with it by Mr. Doradour. I have looked them over carefully myself and consulted several judicious friends in confidence. We are all sensible that the freedom of your strictures on some particular measures and opinions will displease their respective abettors . But we...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Henley, 16 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I was favoured in the beginning of this month with your two obliging letters, and have to return you a thousand acknowledgments for the sentiments of regard they contain, which neither length of time, change of situation, nor the convulsions which have torn asunder the bands that once held our united countries, appear in the least to have altered. Remotely as I am situated from publick life,...
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,...