To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Bankson, 7 October 1793
From Benjamin Bankson
Philadelphia, October 7th. 1793
Sir
The inclosed Letter and account from Mr. Dumas as also the Letter from Mr. Remsen were taken from large packets of News papers which are deposited in the office.
I yesterday received a Letter from a Mr. J. Mason dated Georgetown, the 26th. ultimo—covering a Bill of Lading for a Cask of Macarony expected to arrive in the Ship Salome Capt. Watson from Havre. No such vessel has entered in this City since you left it—upon her arrival I shall pay the necessary attention.
Your note which was lodged in the Bank of N.A., as also the one drawn in favor of John Ross, are taken up. Bringhurst is still in the Country. I will discharge Kerr’s account this day, and wait his, or your return for a reimbursement.
The Salary of the Gentlemen of the office (who are all absent) I have deposited in the Bank of the United States, payable to their order.
No opportunity presenting, and seeing in the New York papers several vessels advertised for Havre and other parts of France, I forwarded the dispatch for Mr. Morris as also the Letters to the American Consuls to Mr. Henry Remsen, with a Letter, a Copy of which is inclosed. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir, your most obedient serv.
B. Bankson
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Secretary of State”; endorsed by TJ as received 24 Oct. 1793 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) C. W. F. Dumas to TJ, 22 June or 13 July 1793 (both recorded in SJL as received 24 Oct. 1793 but not found). (2) Henry Remsen to TJ, 1 Oct. 1793. (3) Bankson to Remsen, 2 Oct. 1793: “The inclosed packet for Mr. Morris the American Minister at Paris, I am directed to forward with all possible dispatch. Business of all kinds being at a stand owing to the Fever prevailing here which continues to rage with great violence, it is uncertain when an opportunity may offer for its transmission. Will you permit me to solicit your exertions to forward it by the first vessel which may sail from your port to France. The following is an extract from Mr. Jefferson’s Instructions to me. ‘T. Jefferson desires Mr. Bankson to get if possible a trusty passenger or Captain of a vessel to be the Bearer of the Duplicates to Mr. Morris, and even, if necessary, to engage to reimburse the reasonable expences of the Journey from the place of landing to Paris and back.’ The three Letters to American Consuls in France, you will please put under cover to the Consul of the port where the vessel may be bound” (Tr in DLC; in Bankson’s hand; at foot of text: “Mr. Henry Remsen New York”; paraphrasing TJ to Bankson, 11 Sep. 1793; mistakenly endorsed by TJ as a letter from Bankson to him received 24 Sep. 1793 but recorded in SJL as received 24 Oct. 1793).
Dispatch for Mr. Morris: duplicates of TJ to Gouverneur Morris, 16 and 23 Aug. 1793 (see TJ to Bankson, 11 Sep. 1793). Letters to the American consuls: the texts addressed to Stephen Cathalan, Jr., Delamotte, and Joseph Fenwick of TJ’s 12 Sep. 1793 Circular to Certain Consuls and Vice-Consuls (see also Enclosure No. 3 listed above).