From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Copland, 10 January 1801
To Charles Copland
Washington Jan. 10. 1801.
Sir
As I have occasion to write soon to mrs Randolph, I would ask the favor of you to take the trouble of informing me by a line what sum you have received from mr Grymes for her, what sum you have remitted, and whether she may expect soon any further & what remittance? which will oblige Sir
Your humble servt
Th: Jefferson
PrC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr Charles Copeland”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.
Charles Copland (ca. 1756–1836) was probably born in Charles City County but moved to Richmond in 1788 where he became a leading member of the Virginia bar. He represented Richmond in the House of Delegates from 1799 to 1801 and had previously served as courtappointed defense counsel for the slave Gabriel. With his wife Rebecca Nicholson, Copland had nine children. After her death he married Hennengham C. Bernard in 1808 (Richmond Whig & Public Advertiser, 29 Nov. 1836; Anna Melissa Graves, “Extracts from Diary of Charles Copland,” , 1st ser., 14 [1905], 45, 46; [1906], 229–30).
For the efforts of Mrs Ariana Randolph in collecting her annuity, see Mortgage of Slaves and Goods from Edmund Randolph, 19 May 1800; TJ to Philip Ludwell Grymes, 24 July and 30 Aug. 1800.
Copland and TJ corresponded with some regularity between 1797 and 1800. Recorded in SJL, but missing, are letters that TJ wrote to Copland on 16 Apr. 1797, 4 Dec. 1798, 15 Oct. 1799, 30 Aug. 1800, and 17 Sep. 1800. Also recorded in SJL, but missing, are letters that Copland wrote to TJ at Richmond on 16 May 1797 (received 25 May 1797), 20 Dec. 1798 (received 1 Jan. 1799), 22 Nov. 1799 (received 30 Dec. 1799), 24 Feb. 1800 (received 3 Mch. 1800), 21 Aug. 1800 (received 28 Aug. 1800), and 10 Sep. 1800 (received 17 Sep. 1800).