From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 26 July 1789
To William Carmichael
Paris July 26. 1789.
Dear Sir
The bearer hereof Mr. Benjamin Huger, a young gentleman of South Carolina, proposing to see Madrid in the course of a tour he is about to make, I take the liberty of recommending him to you. He is of one of the most distinguished families of South Carolina, and has been some years in Europe to compleat an education which he had begun in Virginia in my neighborhood. This gave me occasion to know him when young and to form from his dispositions then, those hopes which his opportunities and assiduties since must have realized. A previous assurance of his worth and distinction will be a title the more to those services which you render so willingly to every American who visits your residence and while I put him into so good hands, I am gratified with the occasion of repeating to you those assurances of the respect and esteem with which I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your most obedient & most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson
PrC (DLC).
TJ wrote two letters of introduction for Huger addressed to Carmichael, the first dated 3 July 1789 (PrC in MHi). That letter described Huger as being “of one of the most distinguished and opulent families of South Carolina … and … for some time past at Geneva.” It also included this sentence not in the above: “Should his route from Madrid give him occasion for further letters of introduction I will beg the favor of you to procure them for him.” It is not clear whether the first letter was sent; both are entered in SJL.