| Title: |
Thomas Jefferson to Richard Claiborne, August 8, 1787
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| Source: |
Thomas Jefferson, Library of Congress
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| Overview: |
In this brief note, Thomas Jefferson writes that the best settlers for Western lands would be industrious Germans.
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Paris Aug. 8. 1787.
I am of the opinion that American tenants for the Western lands could not be procured, & if they could they would be very unsure. the best as far as I have been able to judge are foreigners who do not speak the language: unable to communicate with the people of the country they confine themselves to their farms & their families, compare their present state to what it was in Europe & find great reason to be contented. of all foreigners I should prefer Germans. they are the easiest got, the best for their landlord, & do best for themselves. the deed in which you are interested having been sent to me the other day to be au thorized, I took the inclosed note of its particulars for you. I am with much esteem Sir
Banner image: From the Collection of The New-York Historical Society. Accession number 1867.306.
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