On this day Alexander Garrett wrote from Charlottesville to John H. Cocke, for whose namesake son he was making arrangements to attend the Charlottesville Academy, that Laporte was waiting for TJ to set the price of board; that he would be “ready to recieve the boys today. but the monticello gentry will not be ready With their matresses &c untill monday”; that “Mr. Jefferson was to see Le Porte yesterday and has given him a bill of fare, for the boys breakfast, dinner & supper, which he says must be strictly adheard to. this fare is for breakfast, Coffee or Tea, light bread with a little butter, & milk, no meats, for dinner, one dish of salt & one of fresh meat or fouls, with a variety of Vegatables, no desert, for supper the same as for breakfast”; and that Garrett had advised the younger Cocke of this menu, who, “while content with it, remarked he thought it full light” (RC in ViU: JHC).

Garrett had previously advised Cocke from Charlottesville on 24 May 1819 that “Laporte left here this day week promising to be here in 12 days from that time, while here he made known to Mr Jefferson, his distress for a small sum of money and Mr. J. made him an advance of $500. and the 62½$ now required of the boarders is to replace the 500$ and enable Laporte to open house, and keep it supplyed, it seems this is a begining not so flattering, but we hope for the best.” Later in the letter Garrett stated that “The mole trap shall be sent Mr. Jefferson” (RC in ViU: JHC).