To Thomas Jefferson from Anderson Bryan, 10 January 1790
From Anderson Bryan
Jany 10th. 1790.
Sir
I have been in a bad state of health for some time past, and still continue so, otherwise should have waited on you before this. Mr. Marks assured me that Mr. Randoph was to have the land, and he made no doubt but that Gentleman would give up all title to it, on your making it appear that your claim was prior. It is out of my power to inform you whether there has issued a Patent or not. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you before you leave the State. I am Sir with the greatest Respect Yr. mo Obedt. Servt.,
Anderson Bryan
RC (MHi); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson esqr Monticello ⅌ Jupiter” signed by Bryan in a monogram containing all the letters of his Christian name; endorsed by TJ in part: “Vouchers,” and also as having been received the same day (so recorded in SJL).
Bryan’s failure to respond to the two requests made in TJ’s letter of 6 Jan. 1790 (see note on Bryan there) was compounded by the assurance here given as coming from Mr. Marks. Of this TJ later wrote: “The poverty of this excuse is too-palpable to need a comment. The true one was that he [Bryan] was to recieve a fee if he surveyed for Marks, but none if he surveyed for me” (TJ’s state of the case of lands in dispute between him and Harvie, ca. July 1795).