Jefferson, Thomas, Third President, as Secretary of State

Autograph letter signed ("Th: Jefferson"), 1 page (10 x 8 in.; 254 x 203 mm), Philadelphia, 1 August 1791, to Colonel Nathaniel Burwell; very light browning and marginal spotting. Together with: Autograph letter signed by John Paradise, 4 pages, Paris, 9 August 1788 to Colonel Nathaniel Burwell, expressing gratitude for Burwell's assistance with financial matters — Autograph letter signed by William Derson, 1 page London, 28 February 1791, to Colonel Nathaniel Burwell forwarding John Paradise's power of attorney to Burwell.



 

Boyd, ed., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, 20:710-11

Autograph letter signed ("Th: Jefferson"), 1 page (10 x 8 in.; 254 x 203 mm), Philadelphia, 1 August 1791, to Colonel Nathaniel Burwell; very light browning and marginal spotting. Together with: Autograph letter signed by John Paradise, 4 pages, Paris, 9 August 1788 to Colonel Nathaniel Burwell, expressing gratitude for Burwell's assistance with financial matters — Autograph letter signed by William Derson, 1 page London, 28 February 1791, to Colonel Nathaniel Burwell forwarding John Paradise's power of attorney to Burwell.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Reaching out to a fellow-Virginian for help with the estate of John Paradise. Jefferson writes to Nathaniel Burwell: "Being to write shortly to Mr. Paradise I should be very happy to be able to hand him any information with respect to the prospect of raising money to pay his debts. You know there was some hope from the cutting & selling of timber—is this likely to be realised? I recollect he had a considerable sum of public paper. As I am on the spot where the science in that line is mathematically exact, I would be obliged to you to inform me of what amount & description Mr. Paradise's paper is? On knowing exactly what kind of certificates &c he has, I can enquire here what it will sell for in its present form, or whether it can be converted into any other form & sell more advantageously and communicate the information to you to do thereon what you think best. If it can be sold at near par, it will lop off a sensible part of his debt. If you will have the goodness to favour me with an answer, put into the post by the 16th inst. I shall receive it in time to communicate it to him by the sure opportunity in contemplation."

Jefferson met the Greek-born scholar, John Paradise in the late 1780s in England. From the moment they met, Paradise  badgered Jefferson to help him financially and in turn Paradise taught Jefferson modern Greek via mail.