To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Claxton, 1 March 1805
From Thomas Claxton
Capitol 1st March [1805]
Honored Sir
Inclosed is the report made by me to the committee on the subject of furniture—it was read in the house this morning by Mr Nicholson—the question was taken on a joint resolution, appropriating fourteen thousand dollars—no debate took place, nor was there any opposition—This resolution vests the President with the power of spending the money as he may think fit—I have settled all my accounts, Sir, with the treasury long since, and have now in my hands five dollars remaining of the former appropriation
As I presume, Sir, that you will find it necessary to appoint an agent to carry your will on this business into execution, I take the liberty of offering myself as a candidate—Should it please you, Sir, to grant my request you may rely, not only on my care and attention, but also on my utmost endeavours to procure the articles on the best terms—
I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Svt
Thos Claxton
RC (MHi); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Mch. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Claxton to Joseph H. Nicholson, 14 Feb.; responding to Nicholson as chairman of the committee, Claxton recommends that old furnishings in the President’s House from former administrations and a previous appropriation of $15,000 be sold at auction and that a further sum of $14,000 is “absolutely requisite” to obtain “furniture of modern style” (same).
According to a resolution passed in Congress on 1 Mch., the president was “authorized to cause to be sold such part of the furniture and equipage belonging to his household, as may be decayed and out of repair.” Additionally, fourteen thousand dollars and the proceeds of such sales were to be appropriated for the accommodation of the president’s household and “to be laid out at his discretion, and under his direction” (, 5:158).