1To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, with a Memorandum on Improving Tobacco and Flour Inspection, 23 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
As you seem to join me in opinion that an Inspection in the Upper Country would be of publick Utility and rouse a number of able bodied people inhabiting good lands to industry, I have in a hurry communicated to you a few hints on the Subject. The wretched State of our Flower trade is such that no doubt can remain of the necessity of improving it by every possible means. I have also given you...
2To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, [14? January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of seeing you have mentioned to several of my acquaintances the necessity of rebuilding the publick Work houses &c. They mention some excellent workmen at present in the Militia that would gladly engage and carry with them many workmen black and white. I recommend your Excellency to Mr. Thos. Pleasants and Capt. John Pleasants who can inform you of a considerable...
3To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By Borrowing and purchasing I have procured a sufficient quantity of Canvass for the 100 tents You mentioned for Colo. Buford also some Cloth which shall be sent to Richmond immediately. I shall be glad to receive the several Estimates mentioned when I was at Richmond. I am sorry to inform you that the prospect of obtaining supplies becomes every day more discouraging. Every body I see from...
4To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 11 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have the honor of receiving your favour of the 8th. instant, and am greatly relieved to see so fair a prospect of an abundant supply of necessary Stores in the Spring. I Shall be glad to know if you are Confined to any particular Warehouses and what Warehouses for the delivery of Mr. De francey’s Tobacco. When tis convenient to furnish me with the necessary Estimates shall be glad to receive...
5To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just now honour’d with your favour of this date . This morning I despatch’d a Waggon with a parcel of Tent stuff and Cloth nearly enough for Colo. Bufords troops. I have an agent at South quay in search of blankets and some other woolens. I expect an answer to day. I shall exert my best endeavours to procure the articles Your Excellency mentions. As well the Credit as the interest of the...
6To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have just now the offer of about 400 pr. Soldiers Stockings. Altho I understand that Overalls are at present substituted in place of Stockings for the troops at Chesterfield Courthouse, I take the liberty of mentioning them to You as tis probable the Southern Army now returned to Virginia may have occaision for some supplies more especially as they will for some time be exposed to severe...
7David Ross’ Memorandum concerning Supplies, [February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Wanted in a few days a Complete Estimate of all the Cloathing and Military Stores which are to be imported for this State against next Fall. An Estimate of what articles must actually be had this Spring by importation or purchase in the Country. The Thetis will be wanted immediately. Must I purchase the articles wanted for her? Or is there funds already Provided for that Purpose. Can I depend...
8To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 17 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As there are no Vessels at present belonging to the Public ready for Sea and fit for carrying on their Trade, and the present great Consumption of Military Stores requires that every Effort should be made to make speedy Importations, I take the Liberty to recommend to you as very necessary at this Time, that the Merchant Vessels belonging to Citizens of the State and others be obliged to take...
9To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 22 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The indisposition of the Gentleman I first intended to employ to the Northward has retarded that business a little, but I hope to have a person ready to sett out by Saturday which will give Colo. Muter longer time to furnish his several Estimates. Finding Our Mercantile plans so much deranged by the Reduction of St. Eustatias—hence the dificulty of geting Mr. Crew Convey’d in any Short time to...
10To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 27 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I find it will be some time yet before Colo. Davies will have the several Estimates ready and it will then take me a day to examine what articles can be furnished in the State, and where the rest can be best procured. From what I can discover a great proportion of the present supplies must come from the Northward. Our State money has no currency there. The present Invasion intimidates the...
11To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, [7] April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond [ 7 ] Apr. 1781 . Acknowledges a letter of this date “with Genl. Spotswood’s letter which is now return’d. In obedience to your reccomendation I have extended the Contract for Catridge Boxes and belts to 2000 More, judging the price reasonable, if the exchange can be adjusted by the price of Tobacco.” Has written “to the General” on the subject of the exchange “and allowed him to draw...
12To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 15 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 15 Apr. 1781 . The bearer, George Nicolson, “is engaged to go the Northward to try and procure some of the Stores wanted for the Army”; making payment there will be difficult, and Ross would be pleased if TJ would write the Virginia delegates in Congress to assist Nicolson. Ross has sent to the back country to obtain a return of the hemp collected under the tax laws. “This is an...
13To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 4 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have just now the Pleasure of receiving your letter of yesterdays date. I am happy in having it in my power to inform you that there is at present the prospect of a very abundant Supply of Lead from the Mines. I have this day received a letter from thence advising me there would be from 40 to 50 ton made in a Short time. At present I hope there will be no distress for the article. 1 M ℔ was...
14To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Did my self the pleasure of writing to you yesterday by Colo. Davies advising you of the flattering prospect we have at the Lead mines of a plentyfull supply of that article in a very short time. Mr. Maury has just now call’d upon me and am sorry to learn the fate of his vessell. It would appear from Mr. Phillips’s letters and conduct in other respects that he is somewhat intoxecated with...
15To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, enclosing Account of Loss of Goods at Petersburg, 16 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I send you letter which I have just now received from Philadelphia by a Vessell that was bound to Virginia. I am Sorry to inform you that by the villiany of the Waggon Master and the folly of one of our Light horse Sent to So. Quay to Conduct the Goods from thence to the Forks they Suffered the whole to fall into the hands of the enemy. I shall lay a particular State of this matter...
16To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 23 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just now favoured with your Letter of the 21st . I expected the waggons would have come to this place in consequence of what your Excellency mentioned to me, and the instructions which I had lodged at Fredericksburg for the Waggoners. Orders had been given by the Baron to deliver the Arms at the barracks, other orders to deliver them at the Town, and lastly to deliver them at the old...
17To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, Enclosing a Letter from James Maury, 26 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just now received the inclosed letter from Mr. James Maury which I send for your perusal. Any thing that you think in my power to do for him I will Chearfully perform it. Agreable to your desire I furnished him with every thing I thought necessary for his embarking and instructed him to take a passage from the E. Shore if he found any inconvenience in going from Hampton. The Money he...
18To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 28 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have just now time to advise you that my agent in Philadelphia on the 9th. instant forwarded 275 Stand of arms and 1 ton of Gunpowder, to Fredericksburg, on the 11th. he forwarded a ton of Gunpowder on the 18th. he forwarded 600 Stand of arms and by this date he expected to forward the remainder of the 2000 Stand. This Supply of Arms, the Arms over and above what the Baron has taken for his...