Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Jones, 20 April 1812
To Benjamin Jones
Monticello Apr. 20. 12
Sir
In my letter of Mar. 29. I informed you I had directed a remittance of D:200. out of the surplus of which I should request you to make a paiment for me. this is to Colo Duane for some books, and arrearages of his newspapers. how far back the last go, I do not know: the last paiment to him I find was July 31. 1807. his country paper @ 5.D. a year is the one I take. I have had some books of him also. if you will be so kind as to have the amount of his account asked for, and pay it, I will thank you. I think it will be within the limits of the surplus, unless there be something which I have forgotten; but even if it should be over the surplus be so good as to pay it, and I will have it instantly refunded, on your information.
Th: Jefferson
PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr Benjamin Jones”; endorsed by TJ.
Benjamin Jones (ca. 1767–1849), Philadelphia ironmonger and investor in ironworks and real estate, entered with TJ’s nailrod supplier Joseph Roberts into the partnership of Roberts & Jones in 1800. Roberts died late in 1802 and shortly thereafter Jones formed the partnership of Jones & Howell. TJ purchased bar iron and lead from Jones’s firm until at least 1815 (, 2:964n, 1216, 1219, 1310; Philadelphia Gazette & Universal Daily Advertiser, 14 Jan. 1800; Cornelius William Stafford, The Philadelphia Directory for 1800 [Philadelphia, 1800], 104; TJ to Jones, 6 Dec. 1802 [MHi] and 6 June 1815; Philadelphia Gazette & Daily Advertiser, 14 Dec. 1802; James Robinson, The Philadelphia Directory City and County Register for 1803 [Philadelphia, 1803], 134; TJ to Jones & Howell, 10 Aug. 1809; John A. Paxton, Philadelphia Directory and Register 1813 [Philadelphia, 1813]; will and biographical information in PHi: Jones and Taylor Family Papers; Philadelphia North American and United States Gazette, 16 May 1849).
SJL records TJ’s letter of mar. 29. as well as letters from Jones to TJ of 21 and 27 Apr., received from Philadelphia on 29 Apr. and 1 May 1812, none of which has been found. On july 31. 1807 TJ arranged for payment of $64.37½ to “Weightman & Duane” (, 2:1208).