From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 20 March 1793
To George Washington
Mar. 20. 1793.
Th: Jefferson, with his respects to the President incloses him the draught of a letter to Mr. Pinckney: also some Canada gazettes, with the letter from Colo. Fay accompanying them. He perceives from this letter that Colo. Fay had not awaited his approbation to make use of the name of Th:J. in the land-job. He thinks it possible the government of Canada may get hold of this, and perhaps make some use of it, if they should suppose any purpose may be answered by it. He is the more happy therefore in having made the first communication to the President, which at that time had others only in view, and not all Th:J. himself.
RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); endorsed by Tobias Lear. PrC (DLC); partially overwritten in a later hand. Tr (Lb in DNA: RG 59, SDC). Recorded in SJPL. Enclosures: (1) TJ to Thomas Pinckney, 16 Mch. 1793. (2) Joseph Fay to TJ, 12 Mch. 1793.
Fay’s first communication to TJ, inviting him to participate in a land speculation venture in Canada, was dated 26 Feb. 1793. Apparently TJ had shown it to the President after receiving it on 12 Mch. and before receiving Fay’s second letter on 19 Mch. 1793, but evidence on the date of transmittal is lacking.