From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 February 1790
To George Washington
Monticello Feb. 14.1 1790.
Sir
I have duly received the letter of the 21st. of January with which you have honored me, and no longer hesitate to undertake the office to which you are pleased to call me. Your desire that I should come on as quickly as possible is a sufficient reason for me to postpone every matter of business, however pressing, which admits postponement. Still it will be the close of the ensuing week before I can get away, and then I shall have to go by the way of Richmond, which will lengthen my road. I shall not fail however to go on with all the dispatch possible nor to satisfy you, I hope, when I shall have the honor of seeing you at New York, that the circumstances which prevent my immediate departure, are not under my controul. I have now that of being with sentiments of the most perfect respect & attachment, Sir Your most obedient & most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson
RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); at foot of text: “The President of the U.S.” addressed: “George Washington President of the United States” postmarked: “RICHMOND, Feb. 18” and “FREE” endorsed. PrC (DLC).
This letter was evidently written before TJ’s letter to Madison of this date: this is suggested by the alteration in the date and by the fact that the entry in SJL for the letter to Washington is the first of several written on 14 Feb.
1. Date altered by overwriting from “12.”