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Details
JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson") as Secretary of State, to James Brown in Richmond; Monticello, 20 May 1795. 1 page, 4to, integral address leaf with panel in Jefferson's hand, docketed, small seal hole, even browning.
A FUTURE PRESIDENT'S ACCOUNTS FOR TOBACCO SALES AND "FISH FOR MY PEOPLE" (SLAVES).
It was Jefferson's practice to use Brown, a Richmond merchant, as an unofficial banker. Brown handled the sale of tobacco and other products of Monticello, and acted as purchasing agent for divers commodities, fish in this case, for the Monticello and Poplar Forest slaves. Jefferson and Brown's accounts required frequent clarification: "According to what I have heretofore written I shall about the close of the month be able to accomplish the balance between us. In the meantime having reason to direct a purchase of some fish for my people, & unwilling to draw any more of the proceeds of my tobacco from your hands than my previous stipulation had obliged me to do, will you permit me to deposit in your hands a sum of [$66.55] now sent by Mr. Carr to cover an order I shall draw on you for the amount of my fish when known to me, limited by express directions to be kept within that sum? Mr. Carr will deliver to you the above sum. I am with great esteem, D[ea]r. Sir."
This letter to Brown, though recorded in Jefferson's register of outgoing letters, is otherwise unknown (see Jefferson, Papers, ed. Catanzariti, 28:365-366fn).
A FUTURE PRESIDENT'S ACCOUNTS FOR TOBACCO SALES AND "FISH FOR MY PEOPLE" (SLAVES).
It was Jefferson's practice to use Brown, a Richmond merchant, as an unofficial banker. Brown handled the sale of tobacco and other products of Monticello, and acted as purchasing agent for divers commodities, fish in this case, for the Monticello and Poplar Forest slaves. Jefferson and Brown's accounts required frequent clarification: "According to what I have heretofore written I shall about the close of the month be able to accomplish the balance between us. In the meantime having reason to direct a purchase of some fish for my people, & unwilling to draw any more of the proceeds of my tobacco from your hands than my previous stipulation had obliged me to do, will you permit me to deposit in your hands a sum of [$66.55] now sent by Mr. Carr to cover an order I shall draw on you for the amount of my fish when known to me, limited by express directions to be kept within that sum? Mr. Carr will deliver to you the above sum. I am with great esteem, D[ea]r. Sir."
This letter to Brown, though recorded in Jefferson's register of outgoing letters, is otherwise unknown (see Jefferson, Papers, ed. Catanzariti, 28:365-366fn).