Revolutionary ideas had become familiar to Brazilian students at European universities by the end of the 18th century. At the time of this document's creation, Thomas Jefferson was the United States envoy to France. On May 4, 1787, in Marseille, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to John Jay, Secretary of State of the United States. Based on the information provided at the beginning of the letter, Jefferson was in the area with the goal of gathering information on trade-related matters and learning more about European rice agriculture. He declares in his letter that "the mass of our compatriots interested in agriculture... to enable them to adapt their production to the market, to indicate to them outlets and to strive to obtain conditions of favorable reception, is in line with my duty. » As Jefferson carried out his predetermined tasks, he was approached by a Brazilian student in Montpelier who requested United States support for Brazilian independence. In his letter to John Jay, Thomas Jefferson describes the situation in Brazil, the readiness of Brazilians to start a rebellion for independence and its natural resources. This letter contains Jefferson's account of his communications with the native as well as his discussion with a Mexican before his meeting with the Brazilian. This letter is in the first person. The advantage of this point of view is the ability to hear Thomas Jefferson's thoughts and approach the situation from his point of view. However, because Jefferson is the narrator, this source cannot be considered completely objective. The reliability of the account must be questioned. For example, in his letter to John Jay, Jefferson includes an excerpt from the letter he received...... middle of paper ...... K. Manchester is an authority on Brazilian history and its relations with Great Britain. In an article titled “The Recognition of Brazilian Independence,” Manchester states that “the struggle for Brazilian independence was decisively influenced by the intimate and unique ties that united Portuguese America with Europe. » ; independence was ultimately won through diplomacy. In his letter to John Jay, Thomas Jefferson cautiously explored the possibilities of waging war with Portugal for Brazilian independence and recognized that the colony could not lead a revolution without the aid of a powerful nation. Brazil considered the North American revolution a precedent for theirs. Jefferson argued that the United States was in no shape to engage in war. Jefferson's letter helps discredit the United States as Brazil's primary benefactor at the time..