The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Library Edition - Vol. 6 (of 20)Jefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Library Edition - Vol. 6 (of 20)
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1789
SIR,--I received your favor of the 23d of September, two days ago. That
of the 28th and 29th, was put in my hands this morning. I immediately
waited on the ambassadors, ordinary and extraordinary, of the United
Netherlands, and also on the envoy of Prussia, and asked their good
offices to have an efficacious protection extended to your person, your
family, and your effects, observing that the United States know no
party, but are the friends and allies of the United Netherlands as a
nation, and would expect from their friendship, that the person who is
charged with their affairs until the arrival of a Minister, should be
covered from all insult and injury which might be offered him by a
lawless mob; well assured that their Minister residing with Congress,
would, on all occasions, receive the same. They have been so good as to
promise me, each, that he will in his first despatches press this
matter on the proper power, and give me reason to hope that it will be
efficacious for your safety. I will transmit your letter to Mr. Jay by
the Count de Moustier, who sets out within a week for New York, as
Minister Plenipotentiary for France, in that country. I sincerely
sympathize in your sufferings, and wish that what I have done may
effect an end to them, being with much respect and esteem, Sir, your
most obedient, and most humble servant.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT SULLIVAN.
PARIS, October 5, 1787.
SIR,--I have now before me your several favors of April the 16th, 26th,
and 30th, and of May the 9th and 29th, and received also a few days ago
the box containing the skin, bones, and horns of the moose, and other
animals, which your Excellency has been so kind as to take so much
trouble to obtain and forward. They were all in good enough condition,
except that a good deal of the hair of the moose had fallen off.
However, there remained still enough to give a good idea of the animal,
and I am in hopes Monsieur de Buffon will be able to have him stuffed,
and placed on his legs in the King's Cabinet. He was in the country
when I sent the box to the Cabinet, so that I have as yet no answer
from him. I am persuaded he will find the moose to be a different
animal from any he had described in his work. I am equally persuaded
that our elk and deer are animals of a different species from any
existing in Europe. Unluckily, the horns of them now received are
remarkably small. However, I have taken measures to procure some from
Virginia. The moose is really a valuable acquisition; but the skeletons
of the other animals would not be worth the expense they would occasion
to me, and still less the trouble to you. Of this, you have been
already so kind as to take a great deal more than I intended to have
given you, and I beg you to accept my sincere thanks. Should a pair of
large horns of the elk or deer fall into your way by accident, I would
thank you to keep them till some vessel should be coming directly from
your nearest port to Havre.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account