From Thomas Jefferson to Certain County Magistrates, 26 March 1781
To Certain County Magistrates
In Council March 26th. 1781
Sir
Mr. John Brown who is principally entrusted with the execution of the provision law was some time ago instructed to appoint a Deputy in each County, who among other articles of Duty should be directed to receive the Waggon to be furnished by his County under the Act of Assembly for supplying the Army with Clothes, Provisions, and Waggons. He informs the Board that many of those appointments have been made and that he has a Person now going through the several Counties to complete the Business, but is not able to say who has undertaken it in your County, or whether any appointment be yet made. I am therefore to desire that you will be pleased to order the Waggon, Team, driver and Appendages expected from your County, to be delivered to such his Deputy within the County, if there be one appointed and if not then to1
The same Deputy is by Authority given from the Executive to call for the Beeves to be furnished by your County, at such Time as will be arranged between Mr. Brown and his Deputies, for supplying in due order the Armies with Provisions. I am &c.,
T. J.
FC (Vi); at head of text: “A Circular Letter to the eldest acting Justice in the Counties of.”
On 26 Mch. the Council instructed TJ “to write to the elder and acting Magistrate in each County, relative to the waggons to be furnished by them; and desiring the same to be delivered to Mr. Brown’s agents; and acquainting them that the said agents are authorized to call for the beeves to be furnished by the Counties” (ii, 319). There is no indication in the FC of this letter, or that following, to which counties each was sent, but the Council evidently intended one or the other to go to all the counties in Virginia. See also, TJ to the County Magistrates, 20 Jan. 1781.
,1. Blank in MS.