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Details
JEFFERSON, Thomas, President. Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") to Lancelot Minor, Esq., Monticello, 23 May 1812. 1 full page, 4to, integral address panel in Jefferson's hand, small loss at seal hole catching a few letters, otherwise in excellent condition. Enclosed in a custom-made quarter blue morocco clamshell protective case.
A JUDGEMENT IN A LAWSUIT, TO BE "LEVIED ON THE NEGROES HERE"
The former President writes on behalf of a widow in a suit involving the purchase of a stud horse, requesting that any judgements in her favor be "levied on the negroes [slaves]" which are part of the estate being litigated. The widow, Mrs. Marks, is seeking "to qualify herself at the ensuing court for the administration of Mr. Marks' estate. I hope she will not be disappointed... I give her a blank sheet of paper signed & sealed by myself as her security...such a bond being to be written over it as the court may require..." He analyzes the suit: "Hunter's case is clearly against him. He and Mr. Marks had bought a studd [sic] horse for which he paid the whole money...Mr. Marks tells him he has no money but gives him a bond on which money was due, to receive & pay himself, instead of receiving the money he takes a horse in satisfaction...; the death of the horse had made Mr. Hunter wish to consider him as Mr. Marks' property...Besides they sold the studd horse for as much as he cost, and Mrs. Marks thinks Hunter received this money, for which of course he is indebted. Should the money...be recovered I would wish an execution for it to be levied on the negroes here, where I should buy in for Mrs. Marks...and so in any other debts of size. She will now be able to explain to you in person some of the other cases..."
A JUDGEMENT IN A LAWSUIT, TO BE "LEVIED ON THE NEGROES HERE"
The former President writes on behalf of a widow in a suit involving the purchase of a stud horse, requesting that any judgements in her favor be "levied on the negroes [slaves]" which are part of the estate being litigated. The widow, Mrs. Marks, is seeking "to qualify herself at the ensuing court for the administration of Mr. Marks' estate. I hope she will not be disappointed... I give her a blank sheet of paper signed & sealed by myself as her security...such a bond being to be written over it as the court may require..." He analyzes the suit: "Hunter's case is clearly against him. He and Mr. Marks had bought a studd [sic] horse for which he paid the whole money...Mr. Marks tells him he has no money but gives him a bond on which money was due, to receive & pay himself, instead of receiving the money he takes a horse in satisfaction...; the death of the horse had made Mr. Hunter wish to consider him as Mr. Marks' property...Besides they sold the studd horse for as much as he cost, and Mrs. Marks thinks Hunter received this money, for which of course he is indebted. Should the money...be recovered I would wish an execution for it to be levied on the negroes here, where I should buy in for Mrs. Marks...and so in any other debts of size. She will now be able to explain to you in person some of the other cases..."