To Thomas Jefferson from John Barnes, 3 August 1801
From John Barnes
Geo: Town 3d Augst. 1801—
Sir
—free from the pressing Cares of Government I hope you may enjoy at last sir […] [the sweets] of Domestic happiness—without [allay].
—The master of the sloop with whom I intrusted your packages of groceries, and 5 lbs. plaister of Paris—from hence to Alexandria intended for the Sloop Abigal & Rebecca from there to Richmond as the latter had left Alexandria the Evening before—was so obliging as to pursue and with some difficulty overhauled and delivered them safe on Board the A & R—with promise of delivering them as expressed in Bills Lading—tho unsigned, nor had Capt. L[…] time or opportunity to return me one as desired—. he suspects however from Contrary winds, & weather the A & R must have had a tedious passage. Still I hope she is ere this arrived at Richmond and that I may Venture, to send on the plaisterers, in the Course of a day or two, without risque.
—Mr Richards at Philada. in his late advices says “I have paid Doct Jackson $112.—as well as Mr. Mercer the Amt. of his Acct. for 6 Boxes sirup of punch [a] $10 [is] $60 (at request of Mr Rapin) on the Presidents a/c—and further he says “I still hold your check on Bank US. for $4000 of 16th June not hearing anything from Mr Dinsmore—to whom I sent your letter as ⅌ address &c—in this Case you will be pleased to inform his Brother or Cousin with you—for his […] [government therein?]—
Mr Rapin sent me a Key—(I presume) for his Room & […]—I purpose calling to see if any thing is needfull or wanting at Washington—and abt the 10th Inst. expect to Obtain another warrant from the Treasury for $2000—if therefore, you should have, any [Occasional?] paymts. to make, I shall be fully prepared to answer them—
I am most Respectfully Sir, your Obed: & very hum Sev
John Barnes
P.S. Your wt each figs: prunes, Raisins & Almonds, with 2 Books, are still in my stores without a present Chance of conveyance—unless I can meet with one from Alexandria—
Mr Conrads pair of looking glasses shall be procured and Mr Carpenters Bill paid when Called upon
Mr Richards also advises I shall in a few day rendr Invoices of your last order shipped for Richmond, on a/c of the President, Glass &c. &c.
RC (ViU: Edgehill-Randolph Papers); words illegible from bleeding of ink; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President U States at, Monticello—Virga.”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Aug. and so recorded in SJL.
TJ had ordered Barnes on 22 July to pay David Jackson on William Wardlaw’s account (TJ to Wardlaw, 16 July). Sirup of punch: in a statement of TJ’s account for the president’s household, Barnes recorded a payment to John Richards at Philadelphia on 29 July for six boxes of syrup of punch for $60 (statement of household account from John Barnes, 30 Sep. 1801, in ViU).
The check on the Bank of the U.S. for $400 was intended for Andrew Dinsmore (TJ to James Dinsmore, 10 June).
The Warrant of $2,000 expected from the treasury was part of the president’s annual compensation (Barnes to TJ, 5 May). On 7 Sep. Barnes received from the Treasury $4,000 for the months of July and August (, 2:1040; Barnes to TJ, 7 Sep. 1801).
TJ received an invoice for $24 from Conrad & McMunn, dated 24 Oct., for one pair of looking glasses. Two days later, on the same sheet, below the invoice TJ dated and signed an order on Barnes for payment of $24 to Conrad & McMunn to discharge the bill (MS in ViU; acknowledgment of payment in full on verso, written and signed by David Dobbins for Conrad & McMunn, Georgetown, 26 Oct.; endorsed by TJ: “Conrad & McMunn”; endorsed by Barnes: “Private a/c”). TJ recorded the order on Barnes in his financial memoranda at 26 Oct. The next day, Barnes charged $24 to TJ’s account (, 2:1056; statement of private account from John Barnes, 5 Nov. 1801, in ViU).
Mr Carpenters Bill: Thomas Carpenter’s latest bill is printed at 1 July.
On 15 Aug., Barnes entered in the statement of TJ’s private account, the payment of $42.53 to John Richards per the invoices of sundries shipped for richmond from Philadelphia and another $5.40 for extra charges and postage for a total payment of $47.93 (statement of private account from John Barnes, 30 Sep. 1801, in ViU).