To Thomas Jefferson from James Lyle, 5 November 1804
From James Lyle
Manchester Novr. 5th. 1804
Dear Sir
I was over the mountains (at Rock fish) last august & part of Septr., I had promised my self the honor & pleasure of paying you a visit at Montecello but on my return to Charlottsville I understood you were gone to Orrange County, this lessened the pleasure of my trip, not a little.
When I think on, how much your mind must be engaged with the arduous affairs of Government I am afraid my letters may be troublesome to you, yet I would just beg leave to tell you, that our company were so pressing for remittances to relieve them from embarrassments in Britain, that I have hitherto sent them every shilling I could collect, without retaining my own salary, which leaves a considerable sum due to me. I am now in want of money & am collecting to pay my self. I will be much obliged to you for your assistance; the last I received was 500 dollars in October 1803. I will have the statement carried on from that sent you, ready to forward when I hear of your return to Montecello Most sincerely wishing you every kind of prosperity I am with the greatest Esteem & Regard
Dear Sir Your Most hue Servt
James Lyle
RC (MHi); at head of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esquire”; endorsed by TJ as received 10 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.
last I received: in his financial memoranda for 15 Oct. 1803, TJ recorded sending an order on Gibson & Jefferson to Lyle for partial payment of the Henderson, McCaul & Co. debt (, 2:1110).