From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 19 October 1801
To George Jefferson
Washington Oct. 19. 1801.
Dear Sir
I have been able at length to find time to look into the [account between] mr Ross & myself and am perfectly satisfied with it’s correctness. but [I have] noted some errors (as I deem them) in mr Robertson’s mode of statement, which I have resubmitted to the correction of the arbitrators, & I deem them so [justifiable] as not to doubt their correction. this reduces the sum awarded from [a total] of 12,000 ℔ tobo. to 9880, with interest from Oct. 15. 1790. say […] by the time it is paid will be about 15,355. ℔. there is a question of [date] which I can not fix, but the arbitrators can. if this be in my favor it will reduce the [paiment?] to 3327. ℔. but I do not chuse to count on this, and will therefore ask the [favor of] you to purchase for me (either now or at any later time within a […] think may be the cheapest) tobo. of the upper inspections of James river or Appomatox, which include Richmd & Petersburg, to the amount […] as nearly as may be, provided it be inspected tobo. I do not care abo[ut the] quality, but wish that which is the very cheapest as I consider mr Ross as taking advantage of rigorous laws, in opposition to […]. you [may?] purchase at either Richmond or Petersburg, whichever is cheapest at 60. days [credit] & I will take care to place funds in your hands in time. my observations to the Arbitrators go by this post, so their final decision […] will give us some time. but still if it is the expectation with you [that] tobo. will rise immediately, we had better buy immediately.—we [have] contracted with mr Heth’s agent here […] for coal […] his engagement, you will be relieved from that trouble. health & affectionate esteem
Th: Jefferson
PrC (MHi); faint; at foot of text: “Mr. George Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.
On 23 Oct., TJ gave Joseph Dougherty an order on John Barnes for $21.80 for “cartage” of 1,000 bushels of coal (MS in MHi, in TJ’s hand and signed by him, signed by Dougherty acknowledging payment, endorsed by TJ and Barnes, also endorsed by Barnes: “Househd. Coal a/c”; , 2:1056). Barnes entered that payment to Dougherty for “hauling coal” in a statement of TJ’s household account under 23 Oct. In the same statement of account, Barnes recorded payment on 29 Oct. of $250 to John Davidson, Henry Heth’s agent at Washington, for the 1,000 bushels of coal at $.25 per bushel (statement of household account from John Barnes, 1 Oct.–4 Nov. 1801, in ViU).