Thomas Jefferson Papers
Documents filtered by: Volume="Jefferson-01-29"
sorted by: editorial placement
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-29-02-0016

From Thomas Jefferson to William Blount, 19 March 1796

To William Blount

Monticello Mar. 19. 96

Dear Sir

Dr. Robert H. Rose and Mr. John Rose will have the honor of delivering you this letter. As they go to your government with a view of fixing themselves there, they have naturally a wish to enjoy there whatever advantages may justly result from a knoledge of their characters. They are of a county next adjoining to me, of an antient and respectable family of this state, are sons of two brothers with whom I have from my infancy been in habits of the most intimate friendship and affection, and as far as their age has given developement to their characters they stand themselves under the best personal reputations. With these titles I take the liberty of presenting them to your Excellency believing it as desireable to you to know the worthy as to the worthy to be known by you. The patronage of your office you will naturally extend to them; but I take the liberty of solliciting also for them the benefits of your advice and countenance which their ignorance of the country and circumstances in which they will be placed and your knolege of them, may render of high value to these gentlemen. To the gratification of fostering virtuous youth in virtuous enterprize is added that of the occasion it furnishes me of assuring you of the sentiments of high respect and esteem with which I have the honor to be your Excellency’s most obedt. & most humble servt

Th: Jefferson

PrC (MHi); with day in dateline emended in ink; at foot of text: “H.E. Governor Blount”; endorsed in ink by TJ on verso.

Your office: Blount was governor of the “Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio,” that is, the Southwest Territory.

SJL records a 17 Aug. 1796 letter from TJ to Blount recommending “R. Lewis” and a 17 Mch. 1797 letter from Blount to TJ, received from Alexandria on 10 Apr. 1798, both not found.

Index Entries