James Hemings quotes from Jefferson in Paris (1995)

  Venez prendre un verre avec nous à la taverne ce soir.
Come have a drink with us at the tavern tonight.

James Hemings

  Uh…pas money.  Non money.
Uh…no money.  Not money.

  Ici, les gens sont payés pour travailler!
People here get paid for working!

  Demandez le maître pour les salaires!
Ask the master for wages!

  Vous devriez être payé comme nous.
You should be paid like us.

James Hemings

  I was wantin' to say, Master—

Thomas jefferson

  Wanting to say what, James?  I like finished sentences.

James Hemings

  Yes, Master.  And what it is I was wantin' to finish is, I wants to get paid.  Master, I wants money.

Thomas jefferson

  In our present circumstances, your request is not unreasonable.  I shall tell Monsieur Petit that on the first of each month, you are to receive twenty-four francs by the way of salary.  You realise that this arrangement holds good only in Paris, and that in Monticello, we shall revert to our own system.

James Hemings

  Yes, Master.  Thank you.

Thomas jefferson

  [places hand on Bible]  I swear by Almighty God that upon my return to the state of Virginia, I shall, within a period of not more than two years, give his freedom to James Hemings.  [removed hand from Bible]  Since, however, James was brought to Paris at great expense to me for the purpose of learning the art of French cookery, he shall continue to reside at Monticello in my service until he shall have taught the same art to such persons as I shall place under him.  [holds out Bible]  Do you swear?

James Hemings

  [places hand on Bible]  I swear.

Thomas jefferson

  [withdraws Bible from James Hemings; presumably places his own hand again upon Bible]  I also hereby promise and declare that Sally Hemings, sister of James, shall be freed upon my death.  Likewise all children born to her shall be freed from my ownership, or that of my heirs, upon reaching the age of twenty-one.  Do you swear it, Patsy?

  I swear.