From Thomas Jefferson to William? Graves, 13 January 1781
To William? Graves
Richmond Jany. 13. 1781.
As you have been very long appointed Cornet to a Troop of Dragoons, and have never repaired to duty; I am to desire that you will immediately assign to me the reasons which have kept you from duty. Should they not be satisfactory, a report of your conduct having been regularly made by Colo. Wood, an arrest must of course follow.
Th: J.
FC (Vi); at head of text: “Cornet Graves.”
The first name of the addressee is uncertain; it was, however, probably William. A William Graves was cornet and quartermaster (Gwathmey, Hist. Reg. of Virginians in the Revolution, p. 322). See James Wood to TJ, 20 Dec. 1780.