To Thomas Jefferson from John Goulding, 16 November 1803
From John Goulding
Georgetown 16 Novr. 1803
Sir
I have heretofore had the honor & the pleasure to know your gentle & amiable handwriting; of course I must feel on the present sudden occasion, the sensations of delight & surprize at once, upon seeing my name written by you, on any occasion: This being for some flour from Mr. Thomas, I have promptly pointed out to the bearer how the matter stood. It is not in words to express how much I wish for opportunity to shew, in any measure, the sincerity, the respect and the esteem, with which,
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most Obedient And most Hume. Servt.
John Goulding
RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 16 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.
John Goulding was a notary public, broker, and commission merchant in Georgetown (Washington Federalist, 27 Jan. and 20 Mch. 1802; Washington Federal Republican, 10 Nov. 1815; , 47:337).