Lot 27
Jefferson, Thomas -- Autograph Manuscript Signed -- Sent to Philip Mazzei (1743-1826) 3rd President of the United States; principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Autograph manuscript signed in the title, "Extract of a letter from James Madison to Th: Jefferson dated June 14. 1795. Orange," one page, 6¾ x 6½". The extract addresses the issue of a debt owed by Arnold Henry Dohrman, a Dutch-born, wealthy merchant who lived in Lisbon during the Revolution and who provided supplies and cared for shipwrecked American sailors, to Philip Mazzei, an Italian physician, merchant, and author who was a close friend and former neighbor of Jefferson's. Jefferson would write a letter as a private citizen to Mazzei on April 24, 1796, criticizing the Jay Treaty and American foreign policy. The letter was published without Jefferson's permission and thereafter was referred to as the "Mazzei letter"; it would haunt Jefferson for the rest of his career and sour his relationship with George Washington.
Keeping Mazzei apprised of the progress in collecting his debt from Dohrman, Jefferson wrote Mazzei on Sept. 8, 1795 (letter not present), noting that he was enclosing this extract (which Jefferson had copied from Madison's letter to him). The extract says, in part: "just about the close of the session I wrote a co-ercive letter to Dohrman on the subject of his debt to Mazzei. he answered that he was, just on the receipt of it, about to let me know, that the success of some of his efforts would soon enable him to close the business….I learn that D. suspends the paiment till a liquidation of the debt can be made….it seems that D. has receipts for past paiments to Mazzei subsequent to his deed of trust to me, & alledges with some probable reason that the sum in the deed was not the real amount of the debt, but a round one fully covering & securing the maximum. there are some points also relating to the rate of damages & interest on the protested bills on which there may be room for negotiation…both to be settled according to the laws of N. York, not of Virginia…in consideration of the indulgence shewn him. I have urged a payment immediately of as much as may be due according to his own shewing, but have received no answer."
The manuscript is in fine condition, with one small chip at top edge, matted with color images of Jefferson and Madison and framed to an overall size of 20 x 30¾". Estimate Value $15,000 - UP
The Wolfe Family Trust; Ed Bomsey, 2007.
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