I wrote you on the 21st of Sep. stating my claim on you for 47^⅖ barrels of Superfine flour, or 367. D. 55 c their value, at the rate netted me by the 232. barrels recieved from you. this letter was delivered you by mr Griffin, and I have no answer but verbally thro’ him that you decline acknoleging your liability. on my part it is insisted on, being myself perfectly satisfied of it’s justice. as the question must therefore be decided for us by others, I presume it would be more agreeable to us both to have it amicably done by persons of our own chusing, who will certainly be as likely as a jury to give us a satisfactory decision, & save to us both the perplexity and expences of adversary proceedings. I propose therefore that we shall name two persons, and these two chuse a third to settle this matter for us, by arbitration. as my stay here can be but short, and I must have it settled before I leave the county, an early day in next week will be most agreeable to me. I will add further that whether the settlement had been by compromise between ourselves, or be by arbitration, it is not my intention to make the paiment inconvenient to you in point of time: being willing to admit any reasonable delay of that. I must request a definitive answer by the bearer for my government. Accept the assurances of my respect.

Th: Jefferson