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...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5[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.]
6To 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.
7To 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....
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To 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. &...
12To 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...
13[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...
14To 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...
15To 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.
16[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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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,...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To 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
24To 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...
25To 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...
26To 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...
27[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.]
28To 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.
29To 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...
30To 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...
31To 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...
32To 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...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35[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.]
36To 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....
37To 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,...
38To 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...
39[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...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42[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.]
43To 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...
44To 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).
45To 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...
46To 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...
47To 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 .
48To 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...
49To 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...
50[To Thomas Jefferson from Richard O’Bryen, 9 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Algiers, 9 Dec. 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 13 Feb. 1786. Letter not found.]