Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 29 March 1806

St. Louis March 29th. 06—

Sir

Could I be so vain as to impute aught of personal regard, to the generous & paternal support which you have recently given to my official pretensions, I should not hesitate to implore you to forbear the indulge of every sympathy towards me, which might cause you one single Enemy, however undeserved or contemptible—Dispose of me Sir as your private Interests, or the National Service may require, and you shall never hear a Murmur—This alas is the only poor return I can make you, for continued Acts of undeserved Kindness—Yet I have so far conformed my Conduct to your inclinations I beleive, as to have avoided every species of Interested pursuit since my arrival, here, and I can asseverate Upon my Honor, that I do not at this Moment own a single acre of Ground in the Territory, directly or indirectly, excepting a conditional bargain at a high price for a small tract, made with view to the accommodation of the public—Altho the participation of the most valuable Estates of the Country have been offered to me.—

May a grateful people & a just providence preserve & perpetuate Your Fame & Your Happiness—

Ja Wilkinson

DLC: Papers of Thomas Jefferson.

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