Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Leake, 9 March 1821
To Samuel Leake
Monticello Mar. 9. 21.
Sir
I have duly recieved your favor of Feb. 26. and am sorry it is not in my power to give you the least information on the subject of it’s enquiry. you have justly imagined that a lapse of half a century, filled up with business of various kinds would probably have erased the recollection of the circumstances you mention. they have so compleatly done it as not to have left a single trace of them in my memory. with my regrets at not bei[ng] able to give you any information of them, I pray you to accept the assurance of my respect.
Th: Jefferson
PoC (MHi); on verso of portion of a reused address cover from James Monroe to TJ; one word faint; at foot of text: “Mr Samuel Leake”; endorsed by TJ.
Leake’s favor was actually dated 28 Feb. 1821.