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VOLNEY AND JEFFERSON
>Does anybody know something about the relations between the french writer >and traveller C.F. Volney (1757-1820) and Thomas Jefferson ? >Volney met T. Jefferson in 1793, when T. Jefferson was in Paris. Thomas Jefferson was not in Paris in 1793. He left France in October, 1789, and arrived at Norfolk, Va., on November 23 of that year. >In 1795, Volney is in the United States and visitS Jefferson in Monticello. >He then undertakes a long trip across the United States to meet French >settlers. > >Accused by John Adams, who is elected president in 1797, of having >fomented a conspiracy to enable France to regain Louisiana, Volney is forced >to leave the United States in the spring of 1798. According to Dumas Malone, Volney left before being forced. >Letters exchanged between Jefferson and Volney, and the latter's book >entitled "Climate and Soil of the United States" suggest that Volney was >consulted to help arrange the Louisiana Purchase. >Is there any publication on this subject ? I am sorry, but I cannot help you on this. Malone makes no mention of Volney in connection with the Louisiana Purchase, and I see nothing in the Memorial Edition of Jefferson's writings that would make that connection. Since Malone's biography is the most detailed, if it is not in there, I cannot advise you where else to look.