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JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826). President. Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") as U.S. Minister to France, to Crèvecoeur, Paris, 9 August 1788. 3½ pages, 4to, paper attachment on left margin, otherwise very fine.
JEFFERSON'S INSIGHTS ON THE EVE OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION: "THEY WILL MAKE GREAT CESSIONS TO THE PEOPLE AND WILL PROBABLY END IN...A WELL TEMPERED CONSTITUTION."
An important letter which furnishes an intriguing look into the mind of Thomas Jefferson as he observed the momentous events of the emerging French Revolution. In Paris as the United States minister to the French government, Jefferson was in a unique position to observe the rumblings of domestic uprising only five short years after his own fledgling nation had concluded its successful revolution. As the author of the Declaration of Independence and a leader in the cause of liberty, Jefferson sought to interpret dramatic events in France within the larger framework of European affairs and within the context of his own revolutionary beliefs.
Writing in August 1788, shortly after King Louis XVI agreed to convene the Estates General, Jefferson expresses uncertainty about the initial stages of revolution: "While our second revolution is just brought to a happy end with you, yours here is but cleverly under way. For some days I was really melancholy with the apprehensions that arms would be appealed to and the opposition crushed in its first efforts. But things seem now to wear a better aspect. While the opposition keeps at its highest wholsome point, government, unwilling to draw the sword, is not forced to do it." Comparing recent events in France to those in Holland, Jefferson expresses optimism that the results will be more democratic: "The contest here is exactly what it was in Holland: a contest between the monarchial and aristocratical part of the government for a monopoly of despotism over the people. The aristocracy in Holland, seeing that their common prey was likely to escape out of their clutches chose rather to retain it's former portion & therefore coalesced with the single head. The people remained victims. Here I think it will take a happier turn. The parliamentary part of the aristocracy is alone firmly united. The Noblesse and clergy, but especially the former are divided partly between the parliamentary and the despotic party, & partly united with the real patriots who are endeavoring to gain for the nation what they can both from the parliamentary & the single despotism. I think I am not mistaken in believing that the king & some of his ministers are well affected to this band: and surely by that they will make great cessions to the people rather than small ones to the parliament. They are accordingly yielding daily to the national reclamations, and will probably end in according a well tempered constitution."
Louis XVI's decision to call the Estates General for the following year allowed the people of France ample time to prepare lists of grievances that they hoped the meeting would consider. Jefferson addressed the question of logistics: "They promise the states general for the next year...How they will be composed, & what they will do, cannot be foreseen. Their convocation however will tranquillise the public mind in a great degree, till their meeting." Jefferson notes that there are two intervening problems that might hamper the Revolution's success: "1. Justice cannot till then continue completely suspended as it now is. The parliament will not resume their functions but in their entire body. The baillages are afraid to accept of them. What will be done? 2. There are well founded fears of a bankruptcy before the month of May." Jefferson also acknowledges that European war could present a problem: "In the mean time the war is spreading from nation to nation. Sweden has commenced hostilities against Russia; Denmark is showing it's teeth against Sweden; Prussia against Denmark and England too deeply engaged in playing the back-game to avoid coming forward & dragging this country & Spain in with her." Prophetically, he observes that "War... is not the most favorable moment for divesting the monarchy of power. On the contrary it is the moment when the energy of a single hand shows itself in the most seducing form."
Jefferson concludes his letter with discussion of family and friends. He notes that the Countess D'Houdetot (frequent Jefferson correspondant, mistress of Jean-Jacques Rousseau) is ill, but that Crevecoeur's sons are doing well at school. Commenting on the privations of the common people from a recent severe hailstorm he states that: "There is no remedy for the present evil, nor way to prevent future ones but to bring the people to such a state of ease as not to be ruined by the loss of a single crop. This hail may be considered as the coup de grace to an expiring victim." Finally, Jefferson reports that the iron bridge constructed by Thomas Paine, has met with "great approbation."
JEFFERSON'S INSIGHTS ON THE EVE OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION: "THEY WILL MAKE GREAT CESSIONS TO THE PEOPLE AND WILL PROBABLY END IN...A WELL TEMPERED CONSTITUTION."
An important letter which furnishes an intriguing look into the mind of Thomas Jefferson as he observed the momentous events of the emerging French Revolution. In Paris as the United States minister to the French government, Jefferson was in a unique position to observe the rumblings of domestic uprising only five short years after his own fledgling nation had concluded its successful revolution. As the author of the Declaration of Independence and a leader in the cause of liberty, Jefferson sought to interpret dramatic events in France within the larger framework of European affairs and within the context of his own revolutionary beliefs.
Writing in August 1788, shortly after King Louis XVI agreed to convene the Estates General, Jefferson expresses uncertainty about the initial stages of revolution: "While our second revolution is just brought to a happy end with you, yours here is but cleverly under way. For some days I was really melancholy with the apprehensions that arms would be appealed to and the opposition crushed in its first efforts. But things seem now to wear a better aspect. While the opposition keeps at its highest wholsome point, government, unwilling to draw the sword, is not forced to do it." Comparing recent events in France to those in Holland, Jefferson expresses optimism that the results will be more democratic: "The contest here is exactly what it was in Holland: a contest between the monarchial and aristocratical part of the government for a monopoly of despotism over the people. The aristocracy in Holland, seeing that their common prey was likely to escape out of their clutches chose rather to retain it's former portion & therefore coalesced with the single head. The people remained victims. Here I think it will take a happier turn. The parliamentary part of the aristocracy is alone firmly united. The Noblesse and clergy, but especially the former are divided partly between the parliamentary and the despotic party, & partly united with the real patriots who are endeavoring to gain for the nation what they can both from the parliamentary & the single despotism. I think I am not mistaken in believing that the king & some of his ministers are well affected to this band: and surely by that they will make great cessions to the people rather than small ones to the parliament. They are accordingly yielding daily to the national reclamations, and will probably end in according a well tempered constitution."
Louis XVI's decision to call the Estates General for the following year allowed the people of France ample time to prepare lists of grievances that they hoped the meeting would consider. Jefferson addressed the question of logistics: "They promise the states general for the next year...How they will be composed, & what they will do, cannot be foreseen. Their convocation however will tranquillise the public mind in a great degree, till their meeting." Jefferson notes that there are two intervening problems that might hamper the Revolution's success: "1. Justice cannot till then continue completely suspended as it now is. The parliament will not resume their functions but in their entire body. The baillages are afraid to accept of them. What will be done? 2. There are well founded fears of a bankruptcy before the month of May." Jefferson also acknowledges that European war could present a problem: "In the mean time the war is spreading from nation to nation. Sweden has commenced hostilities against Russia; Denmark is showing it's teeth against Sweden; Prussia against Denmark and England too deeply engaged in playing the back-game to avoid coming forward & dragging this country & Spain in with her." Prophetically, he observes that "War... is not the most favorable moment for divesting the monarchy of power. On the contrary it is the moment when the energy of a single hand shows itself in the most seducing form."
Jefferson concludes his letter with discussion of family and friends. He notes that the Countess D'Houdetot (frequent Jefferson correspondant, mistress of Jean-Jacques Rousseau) is ill, but that Crevecoeur's sons are doing well at school. Commenting on the privations of the common people from a recent severe hailstorm he states that: "There is no remedy for the present evil, nor way to prevent future ones but to bring the people to such a state of ease as not to be ruined by the loss of a single crop. This hail may be considered as the coup de grace to an expiring victim." Finally, Jefferson reports that the iron bridge constructed by Thomas Paine, has met with "great approbation."