Fall of the Bastille From Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia The fall
of the Bastille occurred on July 14, 1789. At this time, Thomas
Jefferson was still in Paris as minister to France. He was at
the Hôtel de Corny on the evening of the 14th, and later wrote
about that night in a letter to John Jay on July 19, 1789 and in
his Autobiography. Jefferson visited the prison twice after the
event. Primary Source References 1789 July 17. "Pd. expences to
Bastille 2 [livre tournois]." 1789 July 19. (Jefferson to John
Jay). "The demolition of the Bastille is going on...we cannot
find with certainty that any body has been killed but the three
beforementioned, and those who fell in the assault or defence of
the Bastille. How many of the garrison were killed no body
pretends to have everheard. Of the assailants accounts vary from
6. to 600."  1789 July 20. "Pd. seeing Bastille 6 [livre
tournois]. --renewed sbscrptn. Point du jour 6 [livre
tournois]." 1789 August 21. "Gave for widows of those who were
killed in taking the Bast