Thomas Jefferson to John Ashlin, 20 April 1812
To John Ashlin
Monticello Apr. 20. 12.
Sir
I have just made me a fishpond and am desirous to get some carp fish to stock it. we used formerly when hauling the seyne for shad, to catch some carp also, and I presume therefore that some few are now caught at your place. I send the bearer therefore with a boat, with directions to stay a few days, and procure for me all the carp which shall be caught while he is there. I shall be obliged to you if you can aid him in getting them at as reasonable a price as you can. I presume they will not be higher than what is paid for shad, as they are by no means as good a fish. if through your interest he can be admitted to join in hauling the seyne & come in for a share of shad so as to bring us some, I will thank you, as well as for any other aid you may give him towards his1 object. Accept my best wishes
Th: Jefferson
PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr Ashlin”; endorsed by TJ.
John Ashlin (1762–1823), a resident of Fluvanna County, established a series of mills on the Rivanna River by 1810. He left an estate that included thirteen slaves, a manufacturing mill, a gristmill, a sawmill, a storehouse, and shops (Robert Quarles to TJ, 24 Sept. 1809; TJ to William D. Meriwether, 27 Dec. 1809; , 21, 81–2; Fluvanna Co. Will Book, 2:409–10, 3:16–8, 42–6, 154–6, 202–4; Richmond Enquirer, 18 Feb. 1823; Ellen Miyagawa, ed., Family Cemeteries in Fluvanna County, Virginia [1996], 4).
On this day TJ gave the bearer, his slave James, $5 to procure carp (, 2:1276).
1. Word interlined in place of “your.”