To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Turpin, 6 December 1804
From Philip Turpin
Salisbury, Decr. 6th, 1804.
Dear Sir
I have hitherto delay’d answering your obliging favour of August 19th. till I could know of Mr. Smith in which of the new states he would prefer an appointment. I have but just receivd a letter from him, which I have taken the liberty of enclosing to you, thinking it will best explain Mr. Smith’s views and wishes on the subject.
I beg leave, dear sir, to express my warmest acknowledgements for your kind intentions with respect to my relation; and, at the same time, my confidence that he will not act unworthily in the office to which you may be pleas’d to appoint him.
My Brother Horatio desires me to present his respectful compliments to you, and to request the favour of you (if it be not too troublesome) to give him some information respecting the probable value of black lead in Europe, and the best markets for it; as he has thoughts of undertaking to work the mine in Amelia, in conjunction with the owner
Be pleas’d, dear Sir, to accept my affectionate assurances of esteem and respect.
Philip Turpin.
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 10 Dec. and so recorded in SJL with notation “John H. Smith to be Surveyor.” Enclosure: John H. Smith to Turpin, from Woodford, 20 Oct., writing to his great-uncle that he prefers an assignment south of the Ohio River; he expresses a desire to be appointed register at the land office, perhaps first acting as surveyor “untill the lands surveyd. were ready to be registered”; he continues to study in preparation (RC in same; endorsed by TJ: “to be surveyor”).
A letter of August 19th recorded in SJL as written to Horatio Turpin has not been found.