To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Claxton, [19 October 1803]
From Thomas Claxton
[19 Oct. 1803]
Hond. Sir
Through delicacy, I have always, in making drafts on the Treasury for public money, made it a point to draw no more than I had a prospect of spending in a short period—It now appears that I have been unfortunate in the method I have pursued—I have this day been informed by one of the Clerks in the Treasury, that the little balance of the furnishing fund is likely to be swallowed by the sinking fund—I called on you Sir this morning, but found you were engaged
I have the Honor to be Sir Your most Hble Servt
Thos. Claxton
RC (MHi); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Oct. and so recorded in SJL.
balance of the furnishing fund: Claxton, in his capacity as purchasing agent, received warrant payments from the Treasury of $200 for procuring furniture for the President’s House between 1 July and 30 Sep. (, 8:884; Letter from the Treasurer of the United States, Accompanying His General Accounts of the Receipts and Expenditures of Public Monies, From the First of October, 1802, to the 30th of September, 1803, Inclusive [Washington, D.C., 1803; , No. 5345], 84; Vol. 33:153n).
sinking fund: the amount of $145.17 for furniture for the President’s House was appropriated by Congress in 1804, “being the balance of a former appropriation, carried to the credit of the surplus fund” (, 2:269).