To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 16 November 1801
From George Jefferson
Richmond 16th. Novr. 1801
Dear Sir
The mad-man Stewart is again here. he has called on me for $:105—which I was obliged to let him have, or I supposed suffer him to go to Jail. The Captains a/c against him for six passages &C. was $:75.—& he could not he said do with less than 30 in addition. on my asking him if he had an order he informed me that you told him your former letter was sufficient.
Our friend in Petersburg has not yet made a purchase of the Tobacco; he informed us soon after the date of my last that he could not get any at what he thought it worth, and was of opinion that he could get it on better terms in the course of a few weeks—on which we desired that he would exercise his own judgment, but gave him notice that it would be required within two or three weeks. I expect daily to hear from him.
I am Dear Sir Your Very humble servt.
Geo. Jefferson
RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.
For TJ’s previous letter regarding advances to William Stewart, see George Jefferson to TJ, 17 June.
Six passages: Stewart now brought his wife, Mary, and children to Monticello. TJ noted in his financial records that George Jefferson paid Stewart $105 on 16 Nov. Before the Stewart family left Philadelphia, John Barnes advanced funds for the trip. On 20 Oct., Barnes gave Mary Stewart $30 “for Use of herself and Children’s Clothing” and on 24 Oct. he gave Stewart $27 “as ⅌ Statement.” While in Philadelphia, Barnes also purchased various items for TJ which he gave to Stewart to deliver at Monticello, including $9.63 worth of glass purchased from Joseph Donath. TJ itemized all of the advances to Stewart in his financial memoranda at 22 Dec., including $6 furnished by Roberts & Jones, the Philadelphia ironmongers, on 24 Oct. The advances charged to Stewart’s account totaled $168 (, 2:964, 1052, 1060; statement of private account from John Barnes, via Philadelphia, 4 Nov. 1801, in ViU; Vol. 34:407).