To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Newton, 25 October 1802
From Thomas Newton
Norfolk 25th Octr. 1802—
Dr Sir
I wrote you some days past & inclosed Mr Eassans letter to me, I have since been informed that he is a good man, from gentlemen from that County. & they wished him to succeed.
I am happy to hear that our prospects in the Mediteranean brightens, I have hopes all the European powers will join in stopping the depredations of the States of Barbary. you have not said whether I shall ingage any cyder for you this year. I am respectfully
Yr. Most Ob S
Thos. Newton
I took the liberty of asking you for a copy of a law respecting this Parish (Eliza River) passed in 1764 allowing them to buy 4 lotts in lieu of a glebe, we cannot obtain a copy in this place. if you have it I will thank you for a Copy
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 17 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.
I WROTE YOU SOME DAYS PAST: one of two letters Newton wrote to TJ on 21 Oct., neither of which has been found. TJ recorded the first in SJL as received 26 Oct. and the second as received the following day with the notation “John Easson Surveyor Smithfield.” John Eason had represented Isle of Wight, Surry, and Prince George Counties in the Virginia Senate for three terms and was confirmed as surveyor at Smithfield in January 1803 ( , 205, 210, 214; , 1:433, 440).
For the LAW RESPECTING Elizabeth River Parish, see Newton to TJ, 6 Oct.