JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed in text ("Th: Jefferson"), AS PRESIDENT, to Dr. Thornton, 11 January 1809. 1 page, oblong 8vo (4 7/8 x 7 7/8in.), creases discreetly reinforced on verso .
JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed in text ("Th: Jefferson"), AS PRESIDENT, to Dr. Thornton, 11 January 1809. 1 page, oblong 8vo (4 7/8 x 7 7/8in.), creases discreetly reinforced on verso . A BITTER PRESIDENTIAL NOTE ON AN EMBARRASSING DIPLOMATIC EPISODE "Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Dctr Thornton & his thanks for the opportunity of examining Molina's book now returned. He finds it is the book of which Miranda gave him the original & made it the subject of his Jesuitical letter for blinding his followers." "Molina's book" is almost certainly the 1808 American edition of Juan Ignacio de Molina's The Geographical, Natural and Civil History of Chili (originally published in Bologna in 1787). The reference to Miranda's "Jesuitical letter" expresses Jefferson's bitter feelings about the embarrassing political position into which would-be Venezuelean liberator General Francisco de Miranda placed him in 1806. Miranda dined with Madison and Jefferson in February of that year and made clear his intentions of traveling to Venezuela with the hope of throwing off Spanish control. Jefferson expressed his approval of this as a friend of liberty and an enemy to monarchy. But he gave no official sanction to Miranda's efforts. These included fitting out an American ship--the Leander --in New York harbor with guns and supplies, and a crew of some 200 men. These were the blinded followers to whom Jefferson alludes. For Miranda seems to have enticed some of his followers with the notion of U.S. backing for their expedition; while others were gulled into sailing in pursuit of the gold and riches recounted in Molina's work. The Spanish government bitterly complained of this violation of their neutrality. Jefferson distanced himself from Miranda, and two New York customs officials were arrested (one of them John Adams's son-in-law) and later acquitted for improperly exporting arms.
JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed in text ("Th: Jefferson"), AS PRESIDENT, to Dr. Thornton, 11 January 1809. 1 page, oblong 8vo (4 7/8 x 7 7/8in.), creases discreetly reinforced on verso .
JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed in text ("Th: Jefferson"), AS PRESIDENT, to Dr. Thornton, 11 January 1809. 1 page, oblong 8vo (4 7/8 x 7 7/8in.), creases discreetly reinforced on verso . A BITTER PRESIDENTIAL NOTE ON AN EMBARRASSING DIPLOMATIC EPISODE "Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Dctr Thornton & his thanks for the opportunity of examining Molina's book now returned. He finds it is the book of which Miranda gave him the original & made it the subject of his Jesuitical letter for blinding his followers." "Molina's book" is almost certainly the 1808 American edition of Juan Ignacio de Molina's The Geographical, Natural and Civil History of Chili (originally published in Bologna in 1787). The reference to Miranda's "Jesuitical letter" expresses Jefferson's bitter feelings about the embarrassing political position into which would-be Venezuelean liberator General Francisco de Miranda placed him in 1806. Miranda dined with Madison and Jefferson in February of that year and made clear his intentions of traveling to Venezuela with the hope of throwing off Spanish control. Jefferson expressed his approval of this as a friend of liberty and an enemy to monarchy. But he gave no official sanction to Miranda's efforts. These included fitting out an American ship--the Leander --in New York harbor with guns and supplies, and a crew of some 200 men. These were the blinded followers to whom Jefferson alludes. For Miranda seems to have enticed some of his followers with the notion of U.S. backing for their expedition; while others were gulled into sailing in pursuit of the gold and riches recounted in Molina's work. The Spanish government bitterly complained of this violation of their neutrality. Jefferson distanced himself from Miranda, and two New York customs officials were arrested (one of them John Adams's son-in-law) and later acquitted for improperly exporting arms.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
