I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir,

your most obedient, humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CLX.—­TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES, February 28,1786

TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Paris, February 28,1786.

Sir,

Circumstances of public duty calling me suddenly to London, I take the liberty of mentioning it to your Excellency, and of asking a few minutes’ audience of you, at as early a day and hour as will be convenient to you, and that you will be so good as to indicate them to me.  I would wish to leave Paris about Friday or Saturday, and suppose that my stay in London will be of about three weeks.  I shall be happy to be the bearer of any commands your Excellency may have for that place, and will faithfully execute them.  I cannot omit mentioning, how pleasing it would be to me to be enabled, before my departure, to convey to the American prisoners at St. Pol de Leon such mitigation of their fate, as may be thought admissible.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the highest respect and esteem, your Excellency’s

most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CLXI.—­TO MONSIEUR DE REYNEVAL, March 8, 1786

TO MONSIEUR DE REYNEVAL.

Paris, March 8, 1786.

Sir,

His Excellency, Count de Vergennes, having been pleased to say that he would give orders at Calais, for the admission of certain articles which I wish to bring with me from England, I have thought it best to give a description of them, before my departure.  They will be as follows: 

1.  A set of table furniture, consisting of China, silver, and plated ware, distributed into three or four boxes or canteens, for the convenience of removing them.

2.  A box containing small tools for wooden and iron work, for my own amusement.

3.  A box, probably, of books.

4.  I expect to bring with me a riding horse, saddle, &c.

The mathematical instruments will probably be so light that I may bring them in my carriage, in which case, I presume they will pass with my baggage, under the authority of the passport for my person.  If these orders can be made out in time, I would willingly be the bearer of them myself.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect, Sir, ,

your most obedient servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CLXII.—­TO JOHN JAY, March 12, 1786

TO JOHN JAY.

London, March 12, 1786.

Sir.