From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, 17 March 1781
To John Banister
In Council March 17th. 1781
Dr Sir
Mr. Dodson receives his balance of £4413.4.11. He also receives for you £6060, but this the board has directed to be [on] account. It was agreed with General Lawson that if his Troopers could furnish Leather, the State Artificers should assist in making Caps, but it never was agreed or intended that the State should purchase Caps for them, and had the demand been made f[or] them in the first Instance it would have been rejected. However as you have advanced the money on the best of motives out of your own pocket they agree to the paiment supposing the Caps either have been delivered to some proper Officer of the State or that they can be recovered. As the advance you made was without their order and was such a one as they could not have made; they are in Hopes you will take measures for tracing the Caps wherever they be so that they may be recovered, and this money may not be a clear Loss to the State. I am, &c.,
T. J.
FC (Vi).
On the same day TJ wrote to the auditors instructing them to issue warrants in the amounts mentioned in this letter; the first “to settle with Colonel Banister for money advanced by him to Daniel Dodson for sundry Services”; and the second “for so much advanced to John Stewart and Fk. Bonner for sundry services” (RC in Contingent Fund Vouchers, Vi, in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; , ii, 311).