To Thomas Jefferson from David Gelston, 1 October 1803
From David Gelston
New York Octo. 1st. 1803
Sir—
I had the honor to write to you the 21st. ultimo, and enclosed bill of lading of one box of wine, and one cask of nuts—I have this day received from Messrs. Perrot & Lee (Bordeaux) bill of lading & Invoice, of five cases red, and five cases white wine, ⅌ the Thetis, capt Adams—Invoice enclosed—presuming as before, it will be your wish to have it forwarded to the City of Washington, I shall have it entered here, and then forwarded by the first vessel bound to alexandria, or Georgetown—unless, counter orders are received—
Very respectfully, I am, Sir, your obedient servant
David Gelston
RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Oct. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Invoice, 22 Aug., from Perrot & Lee of Bordeaux, for five cases of red wine of the 1798 vintage of “Mde. Rozan Margau,” worth 675 shillings, and five cases of white wine of the 1798 vintage of “Dufiethe Sauterne,” worth 525 shillings, for a total of 1,200 shillings (MS in MHi; in a clerk’s hand except for signature of firm; endorsed by TJ: “Lee William. invoice of 1803”).
For TJ’s order of wine of Bordeaux from William lee, see Vol. 40:539-40 and Lee to TJ, 8 Aug. In his financial memoranda, TJ recorded paying on 23 Oct. about $124 for 150 bottles of “Rozan Margau,” the red vintage, and about $96 for 150 bottles of sauterne, not including customs and freight charges (, 2:1116).