From Thomas Jefferson to S. Smith & Buchanan, 12 January 1803
To S. Smith & Buchanan
Washington Jan. 12. 1803.
Gentlemen
Mr. Jarvis of Lisbon informs me of his having addressed to your house for me two half pipes of Oeyras wine, and Genl. Smith tells me they are arrived. I must ask the favor of you to forward them to Richmond to the care of Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson. mr Jarvis has said nothing of the price, nor to whom I am to pay it for him. should it be to yourselves, and you will be so good as to inform me of the sum, it shall be remitted without delay. Accept assurances of my respect and best wishes.
Th: Jefferson
PrC (MHi); at foot of text: “Messrs. Smith & Buchanan”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. Recorded in SJL with notation “Oeyras wine.”
S. Smith & Buchanan was the Baltimore mercantile firm of Samuel Smith and his cousin James Buchanan. Reorganized in the early 1790s from earlier firms operated by Smith and/or his father, it was perhaps the most important commercial house in Baltimore until its collapse during the economic panic of 1819. Buchanan was the more active of the two partners, allowing Smith to pursue his political career (Frank A. Cassell, Merchant Congressman in the Young Republic: Samuel Smith of Maryland, 1752–1839 [Madison, Wis., 1971], 44, 222–4).