From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1 June 1793
To William Short
Philadelphia June 1. 1793.
Dear Sir
The bearer hereof is Major Jackson, formerly of the army, and afterwards of the President’s family. Supposing it possible he may see you at Madrid, I with pleasure make him known to you, as a gentleman of information talents and worth. He merits well any attentions you can shew him, and I also will be thankful for them. Should he, from the circumstances of the times, need your official interferences, I am sure that, as one among our best citizens, he will have the benefit of them. I am with sincere and constant attachment Dear Sir Your affectionate friend
Th: Jefferson
RC (PHi: Society Collection); addressed: “Mr. Short Minister resident of the US. of America at the Hague and one of their Commissioners Plenipotentiary now at Madrid by Majr. Jackson”; endorsed by William Jackson: “from Mr. Jefferson to Mr. Short introducing WJ not presented as I did not go to Madrid.” PrC (DLC). Tr (DLC); 19th-century copy.
As William Jackson’s endorsement indicates, Short never received this letter. On this day TJ wrote a similar letter of introduction to William Carmichael, Short’s fellow American commissioner in Madrid, which Jackson must also not have delivered (PrC in DLC, at foot of text: “Mr. Carmichael”; Tr in DLC, 19th-century copy).