A query if you don't mind?

Question

Mr. Short's return the night before last availed me of your favour of Aug. 12. I immediately ordered the shoes you desired which will be ready tomorrow. I am not certain whether this will be in time for the departure of Mr. Barclay or of Colo. Franks, for it is not yet decided which of them goes to London. I have also procured for you three plateaux de dessert with a silvered ballustrade round them, and four figures of Biscuit. The former cost 192't, the latter 12't each, making together 240 livres or 10. Louis. The merchant undertakes to send them by the way of Rouen through the hands of Mr. Garvey and to have them delivered in London. There will be some additional expences of packing, transportation and duties here. Those in England I imagine you can save. When I know the amount I will inform you of it, but there will be no occasion to remit it here. With respect to the figures I could only find three of those you named, matched in size. These were Minerva, Diana, and Apollo.

I was obliged to add a fourth, unguided by your choice. They offered me a fine Venus; but I thought it out of taste to have two at table at the same time. Paris and Helen were presented. I conceived it would be cruel to remove them from their peculiar shrine. When they shall pass the Atlantic, it will be to sing a requiem over our freedom and happiness. At length a fine Mars was offered, calm, bold, his faulchion not drawn, but ready to be drawn. This will do, thinks I, for the table of the American Minister in London, where those whom it may concern may look and learn that though Wisdom is our guide, and the Song and Chase our supreme delight, yet we offer adoration to that tutelar god also who rocked the cradle of our birth, who has accepted our infant offerings, and has shewn himself the patron of our rights and avenger of our wrongs. The groupe then was closed, and your party formed. Envy and malice will never be quiet.

I inclose you a specimen of what is offered me at 100. livres for the table cloth and 12 napkins. I suppose that, of the same quality, a table cloth 2. aunes wide and 4. aunes long, and 20 napkins of 1. aune each, would cost 7. guineas. -- I shall certainly charge the publick my house rent and court taxes. I shall do more. I shall charge my outfit. Without this I can never get out of debt. I think it will be allowed.

Answer 1

My dear Jefferson, it is but exactly four months hence my favor, for which you need not seek my forgiveness. I am indebted to you so many times over for your countless services of good nature, that I can plainly ignore one fouled memory of these shoes you speak of. I do look forward to them, and I trust your taste to be impeccable as always. I will compensate you with haste, and will include further procurement for the three plateaux de dessert. I would most appreciate an alteration of five biscuits, as I find this number complements most exquisitely. Please correspond with suitable haste, and may you and your family have a thoroughly blessed Christmas season.

Yours truly,

Mr. Bean.

Answer 2

Only three platuex de dessert?
What, are you some kind of Jew, Jefferson?
I want four! And a gold ballustrade.
For Christ's sake - keep your specimen on your feet and your shoes in your pants, man!

Answer 3

Excellent decision.

Answer 4

You're just copying his old letters off of another site.

I will ring your doorbell and run away!!!

Answer 5

I heard "shoe shopping"...and then bla bla bla bla.

My answer is yes! Sounds fine!

Answer 6

Yeah, Jeffy ... get on this separation of church and state. Let everyone know you really *meant* it!

Answer 7

i wish you could come back and settle this separation between church and state issue

Answer 8

Too many words. I will not be tricked.

Answer 9

Who let you out of my wallet!!! :o

Answer 10

where is the cask of wine?