To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 17 August 1801
From George Jefferson
Richmond 17th. Augt. 1801
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 14th. is duly received; the mistake of one package which you mention, happened before their arrival here—Mr. G however thought it was a barrel of plaister of paris which was missing—No. 5, & not No. 8, as you suppose—this I hope may still be the case—as the delay in getting that would be less material.
The Capt. informed Mr. G. that he received the things from on board another Vessel, and that he must either have left the one barrel on board that Vessel, or else in Norfolk. we received no bill of lading.
Mr. G. had previous to my return paid Mr. Ast the amot. of his [p. 104] demand against you, both of principal & Interest—the latter being $:26.49, charged from 1st. Septr. ’96; the policies are not yet received, but will probably be forwarded by next post.
Mr. G. was induced to pay this without your instruction as several persons had lately been compelled by law to pay it, and A—refused to receive the principal without it.
I am Dear Sir Your Very humble servt.
Geo. Jefferson
Wheat is down to 7/6 & 8/—
RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 20 Aug. and so recorded in SJL; with note by TJ below postscript, in pencil: “powder wh sug. & coffee 200. D.”
Mr. G: Patrick Gibson, of Gibson & Jefferson. For the payment to William Frederick Ast for insurance on the buildings at Monticello, see TJ to George Jefferson, 29 July.
TJ received five policies from the Mutual Assurance Society, numbered 970 through 974, all dated 4 Aug. 1801, and prepared according to the information provided in his Declaration for the Mutual Assurance Society, 16 Aug. 1800, which is cited in the policies as declaration No. 389 (see Vol. 32:104–7). On the verso of policy No. 970, TJ listed in a column the sums due on the policies, respectively, including the stamp tax: $63, $5.80, $4.60, $10.60, $5.80, with a total of $89.80. On that policy, TJ paid $60 for the premium on the main dwelling house at Monticello and $3 in tax. On the other four, TJ paid a tax of $1 each (MSS in MHi; printed forms, each signed by William F. Ast, Robert White-hill, William DuVal, and Jacob J. Cohen; with blanks filled by an unidentified hand using information provided in TJ’s declaration of 16 Aug. 1800; at head of text, around insignia: “Mutual Assurance Society against Fire in Virginia”; indented; sealed).