From Thomas Jefferson to Christian Baehr, 14 August 1791
To Christian Baehr
Philadelphia Aug. 14. 1791.s
Sir
If either now or at any time hence you can find a superfine French cloth, of the very dark blue which you know I wear, I will be obliged to you to make and send me a coat of it. Furnish me also if you please a pair of black silk and a pair of black sattin breeches. I will take care, on receiving your accounts always to find an opportunity of remitting you the amount. I am Sir Your very humble servt.,
Th: Jefferson
PrC (MHi).
Christian Baehr was a New York tailor whom TJ had patronized while there and who of course had his measurements (Account Book, 12 July and 30 Aug. 1790). Two weeks after writing the above, TJ sent an additional order to Baehr: “When I wrote you lately desiring some clothes to be made, I omitted to desire a gilet and a pair of breeches of buff Casimir, a very light buff, not a yellow one. I leave this place for Virginia on the 2d. of Sep. and shall not return till the 24th. of Octob. when I shall be glad to recieve the several articles” (TJ to Baehr, 29 Aug. 1791; PrC in MHi). Early in 1792 TJ settled the account: “I inclose you herein a bank postnote for fifty one dollars sixty two cents, equal to £20–12–9 New York currency, the amount of the account you transmitted while I was in Virginia, and which following me there and back again has occasioned it’s receipt to be delayed” (TJ to Baehr, 8 Jan. 1792; PrC in MHi).