Thomas Jefferson Papers

Edmund Bacon to Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1822

From Edmund Bacon

May 3rd 1822

Deare sir.

I went down last evening and secured the Grindstone Mr Dawson has a fresh supply Just arrive I shall send the one at this place by the first cart or waggon that goes from here towards the shop

Since our conversation yesterday I have been uneasy fearing that at the begining of the fall that you will have no certainty of sending down flour for the want of water. by the first of september would be a plenty of time to have flour ready from the growing crop it will require so little to pay me that I hope you would have it in your power to raise the small sum required by the 10th of september

Should I perchase land in this part of the country I can and certainly would with pleasure give you such time as should soot your convenience. but altho I have taken a yeare to try if I could soot myself here in land I am now quite doubtfull I shall not succeed. this month is the end of the time that will admit of my further trial in virginia should I not be able to soot myself in this present month with land I shall then finally and conclusesively cross the Mississippi

I mean after court to set out and properly examin through the county to see what I can do haveing made arrangements with Mr Randolph for my son to attend to my business at home in my absence—as my decision will be during your absence from this place I have been thinking it might be as well if you would consider what time will best soot you for payment should I succeed in a perchase in the county and I will make arrangments accordingly. but should I not be able to perchase here and of necessaty have to leave virginia at the fall you can form as correct an Idea of my condition in that case as I am able to state to go a thousand miles and leave matters of importance here unsettled. the man is not in this world that are more disposed to consider your interest and accomodation more sincerly than myself. but at the same time sir I have a family of 20 in number and without a home and if I had every dollar Justly due me from all who are in my debt it is a scant potion in makeing out your conclusion1 if it should be not objectionable I will thank you to settle up our accounts up to sepr 10.

Yours sincerly

E: Bacon

RC (MHi); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “Mr Jefferson Monticello.”

1Manuscript: “conclusinon.”

Index Entries

  • Albemarle County Court, Va. search
  • Bacon, Edmund; family of search
  • Bacon, Edmund; letters from search
  • Bacon, Edmund; orders goods for TJ search
  • Bacon, Edmund; plans to move west search
  • Bacon, Edmund; seeks land in Va. search
  • Bacon, Edmund; TJ’s account with search
  • Bacon, Fielding W. search
  • carts; to transport buildings materials search
  • Dawson, Martin; and goods for TJ search
  • grindstones search
  • household articles; carts search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Business & Financial Affairs; account with E. Bacon search
  • Monticello (TJ’s Albemarle Co. estate); flour from search
  • Randolph, Thomas Jefferson (1792–1875) (TJ’s grandson; Jane Hollins Nicholas Randolph’s husband); as manager of Monticello search
  • Rivanna River; water level of search
  • tools; grindstones search
  • wagons; mentioned search