January 16, 1784. · Annapolis
by Jefferson, Thomas
Annapolis, January 16, 1784.. [2]pp. on a single folded folio sheet. Old faint fold lines, upper and lower edges gilt. Blind stamp of the Chastellux Archives in upper right corner of first leaf. Fine. In a half blue morocco box and chemise, spine gilt. An outstanding letter written by Thomas Jefferson to François-Jean de Chastellux, shortly after the ratification of the definitive Treaty of Paris by the United States Congress of the Confederation, noting its recent approval and the imminent dispatch of an official copy to Paris. The letter continues to discuss at length the condition of the newly independent United States, refuting the rumors of potential anarchy being circulated in Europe, but lamenting the lack of available hard currency in the country. "This letter is reminiscent of others written by [Jefferson] at the opening of the Revolution in which he endeavored by private communications to influence opinion of America abroad" - Founders Online.
Jefferson goes on to discuss the potential publication of his NOTES ON THE STATE OF VIRGINIA and gives encouragement to Chastellux to publish more widely his own account of his experiences in America during the Revolution. Chastellux served as a major general in the French army under Rochambeau and travelled widely in America from 1780 to 1783. Howes calls the narrative of this time that Chastellux eventually published in its complete form in 1786 "the first trustworthy record of life in the United States." After the war Chastellux remained in friendly communication with many vital figures of the Revolution and the early United States, including Jefferson and George Washington.
Jefferson begins his missive with a mention of the final ratification of the Treaty of Paris, which had occurred two days earlier, on January 14, 1784:
"Lt. Colo. 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. Should this prove troublesome you must take the blame as having exposed yourself to my esteem by letting me become acquainted with your merit."
The principle purpose of the letter, however, is a brief appraisal of the state of the new country, disavowing reports of "anarchy" reaching Europe:
"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 souldiers 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 Pennsva. have made the most satisfactory atonements."
Any unrest that does or did exist, Jefferson tells Chastellux, is related to monetary issues resulting from the prosecution of the war:
"The greatest difficulty we find is to get money from them. 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. It cannot be expected that these should flow in but through the channels of commerce, or that these channels can be opened in the first instant of peace. Time is requisite to avail ourselves of the productions of the earth, and the first of these will be applied to renew our stock of those necessaries of which we had been totally exhausted."
The final section of the letter is devoted to the discussion of prospective publications, with Jefferson encouraging Chastellux to publish fully a narrative of his travels in America and announcing his intention to see his own writings on Virginia, circulated previously only in manuscript, into print:
"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. I must caution you to distrust information from my answers to Monsr. de Marbois' queries. I have 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...."
The private printing of NOTES... alluded to here by Jefferson was eventually produced in Paris in 1785 in an edition of 200 copies and is one of the great high points in printed Americana.
A remarkable Jefferson letter, written to a key French ally and respected writer in his own right, touching on important events and conditions in the early United States, as well as on classic and influential accounts of America. PAPERS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON 6, pp.466-67. FOUNDERS ONLINE, "From Thomas Jefferson to Chastellux, 16 January 1784." http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferso n/01-06-02-0359. (Inventory #: WRCAM56658)
Jefferson goes on to discuss the potential publication of his NOTES ON THE STATE OF VIRGINIA and gives encouragement to Chastellux to publish more widely his own account of his experiences in America during the Revolution. Chastellux served as a major general in the French army under Rochambeau and travelled widely in America from 1780 to 1783. Howes calls the narrative of this time that Chastellux eventually published in its complete form in 1786 "the first trustworthy record of life in the United States." After the war Chastellux remained in friendly communication with many vital figures of the Revolution and the early United States, including Jefferson and George Washington.
Jefferson begins his missive with a mention of the final ratification of the Treaty of Paris, which had occurred two days earlier, on January 14, 1784:
"Lt. Colo. 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. Should this prove troublesome you must take the blame as having exposed yourself to my esteem by letting me become acquainted with your merit."
The principle purpose of the letter, however, is a brief appraisal of the state of the new country, disavowing reports of "anarchy" reaching Europe:
"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 souldiers 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 Pennsva. have made the most satisfactory atonements."
Any unrest that does or did exist, Jefferson tells Chastellux, is related to monetary issues resulting from the prosecution of the war:
"The greatest difficulty we find is to get money from them. 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. It cannot be expected that these should flow in but through the channels of commerce, or that these channels can be opened in the first instant of peace. Time is requisite to avail ourselves of the productions of the earth, and the first of these will be applied to renew our stock of those necessaries of which we had been totally exhausted."
The final section of the letter is devoted to the discussion of prospective publications, with Jefferson encouraging Chastellux to publish fully a narrative of his travels in America and announcing his intention to see his own writings on Virginia, circulated previously only in manuscript, into print:
"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. I must caution you to distrust information from my answers to Monsr. de Marbois' queries. I have 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...."
The private printing of NOTES... alluded to here by Jefferson was eventually produced in Paris in 1785 in an edition of 200 copies and is one of the great high points in printed Americana.
A remarkable Jefferson letter, written to a key French ally and respected writer in his own right, touching on important events and conditions in the early United States, as well as on classic and influential accounts of America. PAPERS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON 6, pp.466-67. FOUNDERS ONLINE, "From Thomas Jefferson to Chastellux, 16 January 1784." http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferso n/01-06-02-0359. (Inventory #: WRCAM56658)
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