From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 7 February 1781

To the Virginia Delegates in Congress

Richmond Febry. 7th. 1781.

Gentlemen

The Courier d’Europe a vessel from Penet & Coy. [Company] having on board military stores for this state was chased into Boston by the enemy in the Summer of 1779. They were principally Artillery Stores, too bulky and heavy for us to think of bringing them on by land. By the loss of our papers we are unable to furnish an invoice of them but they are in the hands of a Mr. J. Bradford in Boston who I suppose can furnish you with one. If you can get them on board any part of the French Fleet which may at any time be coming here, it would be eligible: otherwise I would beg the favour of you to have them disposed of to the best advantage for the public.

I am with very great respect and esteem Gentn. Your most Obt. & Most humbl. St.,

T.J.

FC (Vi).

J. Bradford: John Bradford, “continental agent at Boston” (JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 description ends , xv, 1131). This affair dragged on for a long time; see Bradford to Madison and Jones, 20 Mch. 1782, and Madison, Bland, and Jones to Gov. Harrison, 23 Apr. 1782 (CVSP description begins Calendar of Virginia State Papers … Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond description ends , iii, 104, 137).

Index Entries

You Are Looking At

Source Project: Jefferson Papers
Title: From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 7 February 1781
Author: Jefferson, Thomas
Recipient: Virginia Delegates
Date: 7 February 1781

Reference

Cite as: “From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 7 February 1781,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-04-02-0693. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 4, 1 October 1780 – 24 February 1781, ed. Julian P. Boyd. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1951, pp. 556–557.]

More between these correspondents