From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 13 April 1781
To ——
In Council Apr. 13. 1781.
Sir
The Council having determined that Colo. Elligood should be permitted to go into the enemy’s line[s] or to any other part of the Continent in possession of the enemy, I am to ask the favour of you to furnish him with a parole. Colo. Curle will take charge of the parole and find a means of conveying it after signed to you.1 I am with great respect Sir Your most obedt. servt.,
Th: Jefferson
RC (Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia); address lacking. It is likely, but not certain, that this letter was addressed to William Davies, since Davies wrote TJ on this date about the form of parole required by the British, q.v. Also Col. Curie was in Richmond about this time (see Prentis to TJ, 8 Apr. 1781). See Downie and Thompson to TJ, 4 May 1781 and note there.
1. The awkwardly expressed meaning of this final clause becomes clearer when it is realized that the words “after signed” were interlined by TJ after the sentence was completed.