The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
I thank you for the trouble you have taken with
Madame Champne's letters, and must give you another, that of enquiring for
James Lillie, belonging to the privateer General Mercer, of Philadelphia,
the property of Iroon, Carsons and Semple. Richard Graham & Co., merchants
of Philadelphia, seem to have been also interested; and Isaac Robinson,
Graham's son-in-law, to have commanded her. For the details I refer you
to the enclosed paper I received from a Madame Ferrier, sister to James
Lillie, from which you will perceive he has not been heard of since
1779. I receive many of these applications which humanity cannot refuse,
and I have no means of complying with them but by troubling gentlemen
on the spot. This, I hope, will be my apology. I am obliged to you for
subscribing to the Columbian Magazine for me. I find it a good thing, and
am sure it will be better from the time you have undertaken it. I wish
you had commenced before the month of December, for then the abominable
forgery inserted in my name in the last page, would never have appeared.
This, I suppose, the compilers took from English papers, those infamous
fountains of falsehood. Is it not surprising that our newswriters continue
to copy from those papers, though every one who knows anything of them,
knows they are written by persons who never go out of their garret nor
read a paper? The real letter alluded to was never meant to have been
public, and therefore was hastily and carelessly dictated while I was
obliged to use the pen of another. It became public, however. I send you a
genuine copy to justify myself in your eyes against the absurd thing they
have fathered upon me in the Magazine. Mr. Payne is here with his bridge,
which is well thought of. The Academy, to whom it is submitted, have not
yet made their report. I have shipped on board the Mary, Captain Howland,
bound from Havre to New York, a box containing the subsequent livraisons
of the Encyclopedie for yourself and Doctor Franklin from those formerly
sent you to the twenty-two inclusive. I think there are also in it some
new volumes of the Bibliotheque physico-economique for you. I had received
duplicates of some books (in sheets) for the colleges of Philadelphia and
Williamsburg. Whether I packed one copy in your box, and one in Madison's,
or both in his, I do not remember. You will see and be so good as to
deliver the one to the College of Philadelphia, if in your box. The box
is directed to Doctor Franklin, and will be delivered to Mr. Madison at
New York. I will send you either by this occasion or the next, the cost,
expenses, &c., &c. Present me in the most respectful and friendly terms
to Dr. Franklin and his grandson, to Mr. Rittenhouse and family, Mrs.
Hopkinson the elder and younger. My daughter (my elder one I mean, for
both are here now) presents her respects also to your mother. I am, with
sentiments of sincere affection, dear Sir, your friend and servant.
TO R. IZARD, ESQ.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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