To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1792
From Thomas Jefferson
Monticello [Va.] Aug. 12. 1792.
Dear Sir
I have the honor to inclose you two letters lately recieved from mister Barclay.1 under another cover also I send to the Commissioners, open for your examination, a plan for a Capitol from mister Blodget, which came by the last post. you will see, by that, the use of the paper of which I presented you a few sheets, Blodget’s plan being on a sheet I had given him. it renders the use of a scale & dividers unnecessary.2
I had thought my self secure of a weekly conveyance of letters, by the establishment of a private post here, till the public one could get into motion. but of 4. post-days since my return, he has missed three. mister Davies is however endeavoring to procure a public rider.3 we have had abundant rains since my return, which were necessary to bring on our corn. some appearances of weavil give us apprehensions for our wheat, and increase the wishes for a machine which would enable us to get it out within the months of July & August. I have the honor to be with perfect respect and attachment Dr Sir Your most obedient & most humble servt
Th: Jefferson
ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; ALS (letterpress copy), DLC: Jefferson Papers; LB, DNA: RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW. The ALS cover is postmarked “RICHMOND Aug. 16.”
1. For calendared versions of Thomas Barclay’s letters to Jefferson of 17 and 28 May 1792, see 23:519–20, 547–48. Barclay’s first letter concerns the commercial consequences of the continuing struggle for the Moroccan throne. His second letter contains petitions from the American captives at Algiers and discusses Algerian military preparedness.
2. Samuel Blodget, Jr., on 10 July had sent Jefferson his “Plan for the Base and elevation of the Capitol,” which has not been identified. The D.C. commissioners informed Blodget in late August of their rejection of his design (ibid., 24:205–6).
3. Augustine Davis, who had been editor of the Virginia Gazette, and General Advertiser (Richmond) since 1790, was at this time postmaster of Richmond and printer for the Commonwealth of Virginia.