From Thomas Jefferson to William Preston, 22 June 1780
To William Preston
In Council June 22nd 1780.
Sir
Since my Letter directing the Guards from the Lead mines to escort the ammunition to Kentucky, I am informed that those men have not arms. Should this be the case it will be necessary that they should either be furnished with arms public or private or that a guard of the militia from the counties of Montgomery and Washington should go, the numbers from each county to be furnished in proportion to their militia. It is meant even in this case that the regulars shall go at the same time tho’ unarmed to join their regiment. I am Sir Your very humble servt.
Th: Jefferson
RC (Vi); in a clerk’s hand, with complimentary close and signature in TJ’s hand; endorsed; unaddressed, but William J. Van Schreeven who called this recent acquisition to the attention of the Editors, identified the recipient as William Preston, a judgment with which the Editors concur.