From Thomas Jefferson to John Christian Senf, [15 January 1781]
To John Christian Senf
Richmond [15 January 1781]
Sir
As it is necessary for us instantly to build pro[per] Shops and Magazines at Westham, and first of all things a plan is to be laid, I will beg the favor of you to come to this place and lend us your Assistance in forming the plans. Magazines, Laboratories, and artificers Shops both for the State and Continent, on a tolerably large Plan are to be so brought together as that they may be covered by some small Works for the present and in future included within a fortification, when we shall be able to build one.
T.J.
FC (Vi); date largely shaved off at top of page.
This letter is printed in under date of 13 Jan. However, in the proceedings of the Council of 19 Jan. TJ reported only one letter written to Senf, of 15 Jan., during the time the Council was not in session (Va. Council Jour., ii, 273). Moreover, in his letter to Steuben of 14 Jan., q.v., TJ first requested Senf’s assistance. This letter has therefore been assigned the date of 15 Jan.