To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mifflin, 19 November 1792
From Thomas Mifflin
Philadelphia, 19th. Novr. 1792.
Sir
I trouble you with a copy of a letter,1 which I have received from the Counsel employed to support the interest of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in an Ejectment depending for the recovery of certain lands, the title deeds of which are, it seems, in the hands of the British Government, but, upon proper application, may be procured.
Permit me, therefore, Sir, to request, that a letter may be written, under the authority of the General Government, directing the American Minister, at the Court of London, to use his agency for that purpose. I am, with sentiments of great respect and esteem, Sir, Your most obedt. servt
Thomas Mifflin
FC (Lb in PHarH); with copyist’s note at foot of text (see note 1 below). Recorded in SJL as received 20 Nov. 1792. Enclosure: Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant to Mifflin, 16 Nov. 1792, advising him to ask the American minister in London to apply to the British government for certain deeds, said to be among papers relating to loyalist claims, relating to the “Ejectment depending in Chester County, Lessee of Thomas Barclay v. Proctor for Hog Island,” on the grounds that the documents would save the state of Pennsylvania from an adverse legal decision and a heavy sum in compensation (Tr in DNA: RG 59, MLR).
1. Here in MS the copyist inserted a dagger and added the following note at foot of text: “From Jonathan D. Sergeant, Esquire, dated the 16th. Novr. 1792, relative to the ejectment brought for Hog-Island, in Chester county, by the Lessee of T. Barclay v. Procter.”