To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Dougherty, 22 March 1805
From Joseph Dougherty
Geor. Town Mar. 22. 05
Dear Sir
only this morning I recd. your letter Dated culpeper C: H. Mar. 16th. I went imediately to Mr Main & brot. the 4000 thorns. on enquireing at the stage office I met a young man with whom I am well acquainted going from here to Richmond immediately in the Stage I purchased a box and packed. the thorns. which he will be particular in delivering from his hands. on planting those thorns Sir. you will please to observe the directions of mr. Main. that is to plant them one inch lower than the yallow part which is conspicuous otherways they will not do well. Sir your packages left Alexa. in good order in a vessel bound to Richmond on Sunday last the 17th inst.
Dear Sir whilst mr. Burwell was at the Presidents House he requested of me to find him 2 young pointer Dogs which I did. the time is now expired I was to take them away but I know not what to do with them. If Sir you Should see him please to remind him so that he may Direct me as they are reserved for him
The family is all well I am happy to hear of the Success of the cart and chair
Sir your Hble servt.
Jos Dougherty
RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 28 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.
your letter: not found and not recorded in SJL.
Thomas Main operated a nursery near Georgetown. In a letter of 13 Mch., he asked Dougherty to pay $38 to a third party “as the full amount of my Accot. for Trees and plants sold to the President and delivered on the 8th. Inst.” In his financial memoranda, TJ recorded giving this amount to Dougherty on 11 Mch. The thorns were intended as fencing at Monticello (RC in MHi, endorsed by TJ: “Main Tho”; , 2:1148).
At some point, likely before he began using the polygraph exclusively, TJ wrote detailed instructions for securing a chair to the mechanism of a carriage or cart (PrC in MHi; entirely in TJ’s hand; undated; blurred and faint; includes drawings).