Thomas Jefferson Papers
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From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Harrison, 17 March 1796

To Richard Harrison

Monticello Mar. 17. 1796.

Dear Sir

After forwarding to you my dispatches by the last post, I undertook for the use of Mr. Grand also, to make a proper statement of his debets against the US. against Virginia, and myself; ascribing every article of his charges to it’s real party. As his whole accounts, while under my inspection are thus brought within the compass of a single sheet of paper, I thought it would be well to send you a copy of it, because, being unencumbered with the explanatory notes, it will be a more convenient manual for you for common use. The part relating to the US. contains nothing but what you will find in the former papers; but all is here brought together.

I thought it best too that you should possess his accounts with this state, and with myself; because it may be advantageous for you to know not only what he has a right to charge to the US. but also what he has not a right to charge to them, but should look for to the party in whose account I place it. I am satisfied at the same time that that house will have no hesitation to conform to this distribution of their accompts, and to settle with you in the form now inclosed, because it matters nothing to them if they find all their money in accounts with somebody.1

I must repeat that it would be very desireable to me to recieve from you a copy of the account of Mr. Grand against the US. which was the subject of my examination when I made out the Index of Feb. 21. 92. and it may be useful to your office also should you have occasion to apply to me for any future explanations. I am with great esteem & respect Dear Sir Your most obedt servt

Th: Jefferson

PrC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Auditor of the US.” Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 100: 17116); undated; written entirely in TJ’s hand on a parallelogram-shaped sheet; with variations and emendations, the most important being noted below. Enclosures: (1) Variant text of Enclosure No. 1 listed at TJ to Jean Antoine Gautier, 17 Mch. 1796, in same format and otherwise identical except for note above TJ’s signature: “The four preceding columns contain the articles of the account of Grand & Co. which are properly chargeable to the US during the time I was privy to that account, and indicate what particular person is responsible for each sum. Three articles are added subsequent to my departure, because they are within my knolege” (PrC in same, 17107–8). (2) Variant text of Enclosure No. 2 listed at TJ to Gautier, 17 Mch. 1796, in same format and otherwise identical except for note above TJ’s signature: “The above articles are properly chargeable by Grand & Co. to the state of Virginia, as paid for their use” (same, 17109). (3) Another text of Enclosure No. 3 listed at TJ to Gautier, 17 Mch. 1796, with similar overwriting in ink by TJ reflecting corrections to figures specified in Memorandum to Harrison, [ca. 20 Mch. 1796] (same, 17110).

Index of Feb. 21. 92.: see notes to Statement on Accounts as Minister Plenipotentiary in France, 8 Mch. 1796.

1Preceding sentence and first four words of following sentence are lacking in Dft.

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