JEFFERSON, THOMAS, President . Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") as President, to William Jarvis, U.S. Consul at Lisbon, Portugal; Washington, 16 April 1806. 1 full page, 4to, integral leaf (torn at seal) with a 2-page draft or retained copy of Jarvis's reply, paper yellowed, irregular waterstain along right-hand portion (not affecting readability), faint mat-burn from old framing, minor fold separations. "PROVISION FOR MY FUTURE COMFORT": WINES FOR MONTICELLO, AND EUROPEAN TURMOIL A good letter in which Jefferson, only a into his second term, looks forward to the fine wine cellar he is gathering, with Jarvis's help: "I have to acknowledge the receipt of your several letters.... Of the two pipes of wine you last sent I made choice of one, so that I shall expect your bill for the amount of that and two preceding....The two quarter casks of Fermo & Bucellas were paid for to Messrs. Robert Hoe & Co. The wines I have hitherto received from you have been deposited at Monticello to be ripening for use when I shall return there to reside. These with others provided in like manner form a sufficient stock to begin on, so that I shall cease to add to it till my return, which shall be some time hence. I have therefore to request that no more will be sent to me until I shall again desire it, and to return you thanks for your friendly attentions in assisting me to make this provision for my future comfort. "Our foreign relations some time past bore an unpleasant aspect. The differences with England are more likely to be settled amicably since the change in her ministry. As to those with Spain, if France acts for her, her justice will be done for us. If she leaves Spain to herself, we shall do ourselves justice. The Ambassador of Tunis will leave us in the course of some weeks . His expectations of reducing us to be one of the tributary powers to his government, have been disappointed in toto. As to what may follow we have little anxiety except to avoid surprise. Congress will rise on the 21st. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great respect....." William Jarvis (1770-1859) of Boston was appointed Consul and Chargé d'affaires at Lisbon by Jefferson and held that important post from 1802 to 1811. When Napoleon conquered Spain in 1808, Jarvis had the unprecedented opportunity to buy 3,500 selected Merino sheep, a breed carefully protected from foreigners by the Spanish government whose export had been forbidden for centuries. Jarvis, outside his official duties, supplied Jefferson and later Madison with Iberian wines.
JEFFERSON, THOMAS, President . Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") as President, to William Jarvis, U.S. Consul at Lisbon, Portugal; Washington, 16 April 1806. 1 full page, 4to, integral leaf (torn at seal) with a 2-page draft or retained copy of Jarvis's reply, paper yellowed, irregular waterstain along right-hand portion (not affecting readability), faint mat-burn from old framing, minor fold separations. "PROVISION FOR MY FUTURE COMFORT": WINES FOR MONTICELLO, AND EUROPEAN TURMOIL A good letter in which Jefferson, only a into his second term, looks forward to the fine wine cellar he is gathering, with Jarvis's help: "I have to acknowledge the receipt of your several letters.... Of the two pipes of wine you last sent I made choice of one, so that I shall expect your bill for the amount of that and two preceding....The two quarter casks of Fermo & Bucellas were paid for to Messrs. Robert Hoe & Co. The wines I have hitherto received from you have been deposited at Monticello to be ripening for use when I shall return there to reside. These with others provided in like manner form a sufficient stock to begin on, so that I shall cease to add to it till my return, which shall be some time hence. I have therefore to request that no more will be sent to me until I shall again desire it, and to return you thanks for your friendly attentions in assisting me to make this provision for my future comfort. "Our foreign relations some time past bore an unpleasant aspect. The differences with England are more likely to be settled amicably since the change in her ministry. As to those with Spain, if France acts for her, her justice will be done for us. If she leaves Spain to herself, we shall do ourselves justice. The Ambassador of Tunis will leave us in the course of some weeks . His expectations of reducing us to be one of the tributary powers to his government, have been disappointed in toto. As to what may follow we have little anxiety except to avoid surprise. Congress will rise on the 21st. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great respect....." William Jarvis (1770-1859) of Boston was appointed Consul and Chargé d'affaires at Lisbon by Jefferson and held that important post from 1802 to 1811. When Napoleon conquered Spain in 1808, Jarvis had the unprecedented opportunity to buy 3,500 selected Merino sheep, a breed carefully protected from foreigners by the Spanish government whose export had been forbidden for centuries. Jarvis, outside his official duties, supplied Jefferson and later Madison with Iberian wines.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
