From Thomas Jefferson to John Beckley, 16 April 1798
To John Beckley
April 16. 98.
Dear Sir
It is with sincere concern that I learn your situation and find myself so unable to relieve it. I have not at this moment more than 50. dollars in the world at my command, and these are my only resource for a considerable time to come. I have been in the habit of keeping myself in a situation just to meet ordinary occurrences, & have been thrown behind by the necessities of two persons whom I could not avoid helping. having had very little to do with banks, I do not know whether my name would be taken at any of them for any thing. but if it would, and you can make it answer your purpose, I will endorse any paper which may enable you to relieve yourself. I am deeply afflicted at having nothing better to offer being sincerely Dear Sir
Your friend & servt
Th: Jefferson
PrC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Beckley.”
For Beckley’s financial situation at this time, see , 173–7. necessities of two persons: TJ may be referring to his aid to James T. Callender and to his nephew Charles L. Lewis, who was in Philadelphia seeking employment (TJ to George Jefferson, 14 Mch.; Callender to TJ 21 Mch.; , 2: 980, 981).
A letter from Beckley to TJ of 16 Apr., which according to SJL TJ received the same day, has not been found.