From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 9 July 1803
To George Jefferson
Washington July 9. 1803.
Dear Sir
Not having yet learned from you that my tobo. is sold, I must pray you to sell, as well as you can, as much of it as will discharge my note to Craven Peyton for thirteen hundred dollars payable at your office1 the [thirteenth next]. I leave to yourself to consider whether it is best to sell the residue now, or to wait as the market I understand is getting better & cannot fail to do so on account of the war. I generally deem it bad policy to sell on a rising market.
Ten packages of different kinds for me, will leave Alexandria within 2. or 3. days for Richmond, which I will pray you to forward by the boats as I shall be there before them, [presuming] to leave this place about the 24th. or 25th. There are also [18.] barrels of fish for S. Carr & myself, which I believe have not yet been forwarded from Alexandria. Accept assurances of my constant affection.
Th: Jefferson
PrC (MHi); blurred; at foot of text: “Mr. George Jefferson.”
not having yet heard: TJ evidently wrote this letter before receiving on this day George Jefferson’s letter of 7 June, which was recorded in SJL but has not been found. TJ recorded in his financial memoranda that Jefferson had sold his tobacco to the Richmond firm of Pickett, Pollard & Johnston for a little over $3,330 “of which 1300.D. to be pd. cash for my note ante Mar. 18. The balance paiable Sep. 6” (, 2:1102, 1104).
1. Preceding three words interlined.