Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 28 February 1786

To Vergennes

Paris Feb. 28. 1786.

Sir

Circumstances of public duty calling me suddenly to London, I take the liberty of mentioning it to your Excellency, and of asking a few minutes audience of you, at as early a day and hour as will be convenient to you, and that you will be so good as to indicate it to me. I could wish to leave Paris about Friday or Saturday, and suppose that my stay in London will be of about three weeks. I shall be happy to be the bearer of any commands your Excellency may have for that place, and will faithfully execute them. I cannot omit mentioning how pleasing it would be to me to be enabled before my departure to convey to the American prisoners at St. Pol de Leon such mitigation of their fate as may be thought admissible. I have the honour to be with sentiments of the highest esteem & respect your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson

PrC (DLC). RC (Arch. Aff. Etr., Corr. Pol., E.-U., xxxi).

W. S. Smith arrived in Paris on 27 Feb. bearing Adams’ urgent request of the 21st that TJ come to London, and the present solicitation of a conference with Vergennes no doubt had the object of obtaining the release of Asquith and the crew of the william & Cath erine; see Rayneval to TJ, 5 Mch. 1786; TJ to Asquith and to Desbordes, 5 Mch. 1786; TJ to Jay, 12 Mch. 1786.

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