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Auction archive: Lot number 360

JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826) Autograph letter signed (“Th:J...

Estimate
US$60,000 - US$80,000
Price realised:
US$62,500
Auction archive: Lot number 360

JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826) Autograph letter signed (“Th:J...

Estimate
US$60,000 - US$80,000
Price realised:
US$62,500
Beschreibung:

JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826). Autograph letter signed (“Th:Jefferson”), Annapolis, 16 January 1784, to François Jean de Beauvoir, Chevalier de Chastellux (1734-1788). 2 pages, 4to, fine.
JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826). Autograph letter signed (“Th:Jefferson”), Annapolis, 16 January 1784, to François Jean de Beauvoir, Chevalier de Chastellux (1734-1788). 2 pages, 4to, fine. The definitive treaty, rumors of anarchy and preparations to publish his "Notes on Virginia." The long-awaited official ratification of the definitive Treaty of Paris has arrived and the Ambassador hastens to make arrangements for it to be dispatched to the newly independent United States of America. "Lt. Col. [David] Franks being appointed to carry to Paris one of the copies of our ratification of the Definitive treaty, and being to depart in the instant of his appointment furnishes me a hasty opportunity of obtruding myself on your recollection.” Jefferson graciously adds that "Our transactions on this side the water must now have become uninteresting to the rest of the world, but we are busy however among ourselves endevouring to get our new governments into regular and concerted motion...but as yet everything has gone smoothly since the war." He debunks European rumors of anarchy and impending disunion: "We are diverted with the European accounts of the anarchy and opposition to government in America. Nothing can be more untrue than these relations. There was indeed some dissatisfaction in the army at not being paid off before they were disbanded, and a very trifling mutiny of 200 soldiers in Philadelphia. On the latter occasion, Congress left that place disgusted with the pusillanimity of the government and not from any want of security to their own persons. The indignation which the other states felt at this insult to their delegates has enlisted them more warmly in support of Congress; and the people, the legislature and the Executive themselves of Pennsylvania have made the most satisfactory atonements. Some people also of warm blood undertook to resolve as committees for proscribing the refugees. But they were few, scattered here and there through the several states, were absolutely unnoticed by those both in and out of power, and never expressed an idea of not acquiescing ultimately under the decisions of their governments." "The greatest difficulty we find is to get money from them [the federated states. The reason is not founded in their unwillingness, but in their real inability. You were a witness to the total destruction of our commerce, devastation of our country, and absence of the precious metals..." "But enough of America, it’s politics and poverty.—Science I suppose is going on with you rapidly as usual. I am in daily hopes of seeing something from your pen which may portray us to ourselves. Aware of the bias of self love and prejudice in myself and that your pictures will be faithful I am determined to annihilate my own opinions and give full credit to yours." He warns Chastellux to "distrust information from my answers to Monsr. de Marbois’ queries." [This is in reference to what was published Jefferson’s Notes on Virginia .] He has "lately had a little leisure to revise them. I found some things should be omitted, many corrected, and more supplied and enlarged. They are swelled nearly to treble bulk. Being now too much for M.S. copies, I think the ensuing spring to print a dozen or 20 copies to be given to my friends, not suffering another to go out. As I have presumed to place you in that number I shall take the liberty of sending you a copy as a testimony of the sincere esteem and affection..." Published in Papers, 6:466-467.

Auction archive: Lot number 360
Auction:
Datum:
14 Dec 2016
Auction house:
Christie's
New York
Beschreibung:

JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826). Autograph letter signed (“Th:Jefferson”), Annapolis, 16 January 1784, to François Jean de Beauvoir, Chevalier de Chastellux (1734-1788). 2 pages, 4to, fine.
JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826). Autograph letter signed (“Th:Jefferson”), Annapolis, 16 January 1784, to François Jean de Beauvoir, Chevalier de Chastellux (1734-1788). 2 pages, 4to, fine. The definitive treaty, rumors of anarchy and preparations to publish his "Notes on Virginia." The long-awaited official ratification of the definitive Treaty of Paris has arrived and the Ambassador hastens to make arrangements for it to be dispatched to the newly independent United States of America. "Lt. Col. [David] Franks being appointed to carry to Paris one of the copies of our ratification of the Definitive treaty, and being to depart in the instant of his appointment furnishes me a hasty opportunity of obtruding myself on your recollection.” Jefferson graciously adds that "Our transactions on this side the water must now have become uninteresting to the rest of the world, but we are busy however among ourselves endevouring to get our new governments into regular and concerted motion...but as yet everything has gone smoothly since the war." He debunks European rumors of anarchy and impending disunion: "We are diverted with the European accounts of the anarchy and opposition to government in America. Nothing can be more untrue than these relations. There was indeed some dissatisfaction in the army at not being paid off before they were disbanded, and a very trifling mutiny of 200 soldiers in Philadelphia. On the latter occasion, Congress left that place disgusted with the pusillanimity of the government and not from any want of security to their own persons. The indignation which the other states felt at this insult to their delegates has enlisted them more warmly in support of Congress; and the people, the legislature and the Executive themselves of Pennsylvania have made the most satisfactory atonements. Some people also of warm blood undertook to resolve as committees for proscribing the refugees. But they were few, scattered here and there through the several states, were absolutely unnoticed by those both in and out of power, and never expressed an idea of not acquiescing ultimately under the decisions of their governments." "The greatest difficulty we find is to get money from them [the federated states. The reason is not founded in their unwillingness, but in their real inability. You were a witness to the total destruction of our commerce, devastation of our country, and absence of the precious metals..." "But enough of America, it’s politics and poverty.—Science I suppose is going on with you rapidly as usual. I am in daily hopes of seeing something from your pen which may portray us to ourselves. Aware of the bias of self love and prejudice in myself and that your pictures will be faithful I am determined to annihilate my own opinions and give full credit to yours." He warns Chastellux to "distrust information from my answers to Monsr. de Marbois’ queries." [This is in reference to what was published Jefferson’s Notes on Virginia .] He has "lately had a little leisure to revise them. I found some things should be omitted, many corrected, and more supplied and enlarged. They are swelled nearly to treble bulk. Being now too much for M.S. copies, I think the ensuing spring to print a dozen or 20 copies to be given to my friends, not suffering another to go out. As I have presumed to place you in that number I shall take the liberty of sending you a copy as a testimony of the sincere esteem and affection..." Published in Papers, 6:466-467.

Auction archive: Lot number 360
Auction:
Datum:
14 Dec 2016
Auction house:
Christie's
New York
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