How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

Autograph Letter, signed
Annapolis, Maryland, January 16, 1784. Bifolium. Fine two-page autograph letter, signed by Thomas Jefferson to Franciois Jean de Beauvoir, Chevalier de Chastellux. Discrete blindstamp of the "Archives de Chastellux"; creasing from old folds. In blue cloth slip case and chemise. Published in Papers, 6:466-467.

A significant and discursive letter written by Thomas Jefferson at the dawn of American sovereignty. Delivered by likely the first Jewish American in the nascent diplomatic corps, it 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).

Three days after the Confederation Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the Revolutionary War, Thomas Jefferson writes from Annapolis, Maryland then the seat of government. Addressing his French ally and fellow writer, the Chevalier de Chastellux, the "Sage of Monticello" shares the news of the treaty's ratification and informs Chastellux that official copies will soon be dispatched to Paris, for their exchange with the British. Addressing the challenges facing the young nation, particularly dispelling European rumors of American anarchy, Jefferson promotes a sense of stability for the country that had just exited eight years of war. He concludes by discussing the upcoming publication of his future, and only, book, Notes on the State of Virginia. Demonstrating his leadership role in the Republic of Letters, Jefferson encourages Chastellux to publish more about his experiences in America during the Revolution. This would eventually be published in full in 1786 as Voyages de M. le Marquis de Chastellux dans l'Amerique septentrionale..., which Howes describes as "the first trustworthy record of life in the United States."

Jefferson begins his letter with mention of the ratification of the Treaty of Paris: “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.” He goes on to give a general appraisal of the new nation, and primarily, disavows reports of "anarchy" that had reached Europe: "Our transactions on this side the water must now have become uninteresting to the rest of the world. We are busy however among ourselves endeavoring to get our new governments into regular & concerted motion. For this purpose I believe we shall find some additions requisite to our Confederation. As yet every thing has gone smoothly since the war. 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 (sic) 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 & the Executive themselves of Pennsylvania have made the most satisfactory atonements.”

The real reason for any disturbances, Jefferson explains, is related to monetary issues resulting from the long war that stifled American commerce: "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, nor that these channels should 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." 

In the final section, Jefferson discusses their joint prospective publications, including Jefferson's forthcoming Notes on the State of Virginia: "I am in daily hopes of seeing something from your pen which may portray us to ourselves. Aware of the bias of self love & prejudice in myself and that your pictures will be faithful, I am determined to annihilate my own opinions & to give full credit to yours. I must caution you to distrust information from my answers to the queries of Monsr. de Marbois. I have lately had a little leisure to revise them. I found some things should be omitted, many corrected, & more supplied & enlarged. They are swelled nearly to treble bulk. Being now too much for manuscript copies I think the ensuing spring to print a dozen or twenty 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..."

During the Revolution, Chastellux served as a major general under the Comte de Rochambeau, acting as the primary liaison between the French commander and General Washington. Both a soldier and a man of letters, Chastellux traveled extensively throughout America during the war, documenting the landscape, customs, and people he encountered. He and Jefferson first met in the spring of 1782, when Chastellux stayed at Monticello during his tour of the United States. He later described Jefferson as "the first American who has consulted the Fine Arts to know how he should shelter himself from the weather." It was likely at Jefferson's suggestion that Chastellux visited Virginia's Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County, which both men would go on to describe in their respective books. Their friendship endured until Chastellux's death in 1788, during which time they exchanged more than a dozen letters.

Jefferson explains that he hurried to write the present letter because his secretary, Lt. Col. David Franks, was soon departing for Paris with official copies of the finalized treaty. Although Franks’s reputation had been unfairly damaged because of his past connection to Benedict Arnold, Jefferson entrusted him with the safe delivery of the letter. Franks (1740–1793), was likely the first Jewish American to serve in the early American diplomatic corps, and worked for the young State Department as a secretary and to deliver confidential documents. By the time this letter was written, he had worked closely with Jefferson for nearly a year. Born in Philadelphia to a prominent Jewish merchant family, Franks later moved with his relatives to Quebec. At the beginning of the American Revolution in 1775, he lived in Montreal and served as president of the Spanish and Portuguese synagogue there. When American forces under General Richard Montgomery and Colonel Benedict Arnold invaded Quebec, Franks joined the revolutionary cause and became paymaster for the Continental Army there. After the invasion failed, he returned to Philadelphia and continued his service in the Continental Army, eventually becoming an aide-de-camp to Arnold. Arnold’s treason in 1780 badly harmed Franks’s standing, even though he had no involvement in the conspiracy. Because of his association with Arnold, many soldiers and officials viewed him with suspicion, a burden that hindered the rest of his career.

To defend his reputation, Franks requested a court-martial from General Washington. After a lengthy investigation, he was fully cleared of wrongdoing. Following the war, he remained in government service as a diplomat, messenger, and secretary. Nevertheless, lingering rumors about his loyalty prevented his advancement and ultimately contributed to his dismissal from government service in 1786. Refusing to accept this outcome, Franks spent years trying to restore his name. He eventually succeeded in petitioning President Washington, who reinstated him in public service as an assistant cashier at the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia. Franks died in 1793 during the yellow fever epidemic that struck Philadelphia. Freeman's would like to thank Eric C. Caren for his help in articulating Franks's career and role as a Jewish Patriot in connection to this letter.

A fine letter, written to a key French ally and peer, that touches on crucial aspects of the fledgling young republic at the immediate onset of its achieved independence.