Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Bee, 1 August 1797

From Thomas Bee

Charleston 1st. August. 1797

Sir

It is with pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 22d May received yesterday by Mr. Rutledge addressed to the President of the Agricultural Society accompanied with four Seeds of the Bread Fruit Tree, the greatest Attention will be paid to the raising this Fruit if they once Vegetate, but I am sorry to inform you that very few of the Seeds of the Rice which you sent by Mr. Read ever Sprouted, owing I imagine to their having been heated or damaged in the Voyage either to Europe or since, it being well ascertained by Experiment that the Seed of our Rice will grow and come to Perfection at the end of Seven or Eight Years after it has been gathered and carefully [preserved].

The Society are greatly obliged by your Attention both now and formerly, and if there is any way in which they can return the obligation it will afford them as well as Myself particular pleasure in doing so. Every Measure that can tend to add additional Blessings to the many our Country already enjoys, ought to be Attended to, and many no doubt may be acquired by proper Attention and It will give our Society great satisfaction to be the means of contributing thereto. I have the honor to be with Sentiments of great respect Sir Your most Obt & most humble Sert

Tho Bee
President of the Agricultural Society

RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Vice President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Aug. 1797 and so recorded in SJL.

TJ’s favor of 22 May 1797 is recorded in SJL but has not been found.

For the seeds of the rice previously sent with Jacob Read, see Bee to TJ, 16 May 1797.

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