From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 30 November 1803
To Jones & Howell
Washington Nov. 30. 03.
Gentlemen
Your favor of the 25th. has been recieved. Stewart passed through this place on his way back to Monticello. the 20. D. may be passed with you to my general credit. he informed me his son could make as good a choice of the iron & files as himself. I will pray you therefore to send a quarter ton of such bar iron as he shall chuse, making it include 2. mill spindles; and to forward also such files as he shall select, and till the arrival of which Stewart informed me he could not do the work wanting. Accept my salutations & best wishes.
Th: Jefferson
PrC (MHi); at foot of text: “Messrs. Jones & Howell”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.
William stewart was likely expected to fashion some of the works for TJ’s recently constructed mill at Shadwell. On 27 Nov., TJ sent an order on John Barnes to pay Stewart $15, likely to cover Stewart’s traveling expenses and because Stewart had not collected the $20 intended for him in Philadelphia (MS in ViU, endorsed by Barnes; , 2:1099n, 1113; TJ to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 27 Nov.).