From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Carter, 1 May 1794
To Charles Carter
Monticello May 1. 1794.
Dear Sir
I have received your favor of Apr. 19. and supposing you would wish information as to the article of it relative to the concern of Carter & Trent, I take the liberty of mentioning that there was a balance due from me to that concern, which had been partly paid off before my return from Europe, and the residue was paid about two years ago as nearly as I can recollect. It was done by Lewis & Ware of Goochland on an order from Colo. Nich. Lewis while he took care of my affairs; which puts it out of my power to name the date or sum exactly, but I know it was about £[3. and?] was fully paid off. I should otherwise with great satisfaction have done any thing in my power to have aided you in lessening the enormous injuries which your father’s estate ha[s?] suffered from that concern. I have the honor to be with sincere esteem Dear Sir Your friend & servt
Th: Jefferson
PrC (DLC); with faded words in right margin; at foot of text: “Charles Carter esq. Culpeper.”
Carter’s favor of Apr. 19., recorded in SJL as received from Blenheim on 27 Apr. 1794, has not been found. The mercantile concern of his father, Edward Carter, and Peterfield Trent was dissolved on 1 Feb. 1774 (Virginia Gazette [Purdie & Dixon], 17 Feb. 1774; 163–4).
Letters from TJ to Carter recorded in SJL under 11 July 1794 and 9 Sep. 1795, and Carter’s replies of 20 Aug. 1794 and 10 Sep. 1795, the first recorded in SJL as received 27 Aug. 1794 and the second erroneously recorded as received from Blenheim on 9 Sep. 1795, have not been found.