Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from John Nicholas, [ca. 20 February 1781]

From John Nicholas

[ca. 20 February 1781]

Since I wrote last I have discovered many other Letters from Mrs. Byrd which exasperates me in such a manner that I have determined to keep the one I mentioned to you secure with the rest for my own justification and untill I hear from you shall act agreeable to the dictates of my own reason. As Majr: Tuberville was so imprudent as to suffer Hare to go to Westover and as I have made discoveries on our part which tend to the injury of America I doubt not but some thing as great on the other may be brought to view. I therefore put off all feemale respect for the present and send Maj. Tuberville to Westover that all property presents &c. &c. from the enemy may be returned to the Vessell and the whole Correspondence between that Lady and the Enemy fairly investigated.

J.N.

RC (Vi); without place or date and signed only with initials; endorsed: “Colo. Nicholas Lr. Feby 81.” Tr (NHi).

This letter and the preceding were evidently enclosed in TJ’s letter to Steuben of 22 Feb. On this whole subject see Turberville’s letter to TJ, 15 Feb. 1781.

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