From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of York and Certain Other Counties, 29 May 1781
To the County Lieutenants of York and Certain Other Counties
Charlottesville May 29th 1781
Sir
Information having been given me that a considerable number of Men have deserted from the French Army and Navy in America which the Commanding Officers are very urgent to have apprehended, I must desire you to give orders at the several Ferries in your County, that all Foreigners offering to cross at them and having the Appearance of Soldiers or Seamen be examined with great Strictness and if there be good Reason to believe them to be Deserters that they then be delivered to such Persons as you shall appoint to guard them till you can have an Opportunity by Militia or otherwise to send them with a State of the Circumstances of Suspicion to the Headquarters of Major General the Marquis La Fayette. I am1 with much respect Sir Your most Obd. Servt.,
Th: Jefferson
FC (Vi); at head of text: “County Lieutenants of York, New Kent, Hanover, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Middlesex, Essex, Caroline, Spotsylvania, Lancaster, Richmond, King George, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Stafford, Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun & Berkeley.” RC (ViU); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; at foot of text: “Westmoreland.”
1. FC ends at this point; complimentary close supplied from RC.