From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Burke, 2 October 1780
To Thomas Burke
Richmond Oct. 2. 1780.
Sir
I am sorry to be obliged to inform you that it is out of our power to have paiment made of Mr. Clay’s draught for 225,000 dollars.
Our treasury is at present absolutely exhausted, and no prospect of it’s being replenished till the assembly shall have met and have had time to provide supplies. I hope this will reach you in time to prevent the additional disappointment which might arise from your setting out on your journey previous to your receipt of it.
I have the honor to be with the greatest esteem & respect Sir Your most obedt. & most humble servt.,
Th: Jefferson
RC (NcDAH); addressed by TJ: “The honourable Burke esq: N. Carolina.” Tr in Thomas Burke’s Letter Book (NcDAH).
Burke was at this time a North Carolina delegate to Congress; since he and TJ had engaged in correspondence about legal matters in 1770–1771 and since TJ had taken notes of a speech by him in 1775, it is curious that he should have been in doubt about Burke’s first name.