Docno: ADMS-04-06-02-0103
Author: Jefferson, Thomas
Recipient: Adams, Abigail
Date: 1785-09-04
[dateline] Paris Sep. 4. 1785
[salute] Dear Madam
I was honoured with your letter of Aug. 21. by Mr. Smith who arrived here on the 29th.
I am sorry you did not repeat the commission you had favoured me with by Mr. Short
as the present would have been an excellent opportunity of sending the articles you
wished for. As Mr. Short's return may yet be delayed, will you be so good as to write
me by post what articles you desired, lest I should not otherwise know in time to
send them by either of the Mr. Smiths.
1 The French packet brought me letters from Mr. Jay and Dr. Ramsay only. They were
dated July 13.
2 They do not mention the arrival of your son. Dr. Ramsay's letter was on a particular
subject, and Mr. Jay's letter was official. He may have arrived therefore tho these
letters do not mention it. However as he did not sail till June, and Westernly winds
prevail in the summer I think the 13th. of July was too early to expect him to have
arrived. I will certainly transmit you information of his arrival the moment I know
it.
We have little new and interesting here. The Queen has determined to wear none but
French gauzes hereafter. How many English looms will this put down? You will have
seen the affair of the Cardinal de Rohan so well detailed in the Leyden gazette that
I need add nothing on that head.
3 The Cardinal is still in the Bastille. It is certain that the Queen has been compromitted
without the smallest authority from her: and the probability is that the Cardinal
has been duped into it by his mistress Madme. de la Motte. There results from this
two consequences not to his honour, that he is a debauchee, and a booby. The Abbés
4 are well. They have been kept in town this summer by the affairs of the Abbé Mably.
I have at length procured a house in a situation much more pleasing to me than my
present. It is at the grille des Champs Elysees, but within the city. It suits me
in every circumstance but the price, being dearer than the one I am now in.
5 It has a clever garden to it.
{ 334 } I will pray you to present my best respects to Miss Adams and to be assured of the
respect and esteem with which I have the honour to be Dear Madam Your most obedient
& most humble servt.