To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Claxton, 24 May 1805
From Thomas Claxton
Philada May 24, 1805
Honored Sir
Accompanying this you will get a desert knife silver blade1—If you aprove of it, I can get two dozen at 36$ per dozen—If you should not approve, Sir you will please to return it—In the Steward’s list are two casters2—a pair of elegant silver ones are to be had here price 140$ Plated ones are 70$ dollars per pair—please to say which you will prefer—a pair of elegant Sallad dishes3 with blue glass Bowls—applicable to floating islands, fruit &c. price for the pair forty dollars—If you should think proper, Sir, to order them, they will be very ornamental to your table—The size is 13 by 9 in. shape octagon—basket work—
I have the honor to be Sir Your most Humble Sert
Thos Claxton
RC (MHi); with notations by TJ in margin (see notes below); endorsed by TJ as received 26 May and so recorded in SJL.
1. In margin in TJ’s hand: “desert knives.”
2. In margin in TJ’s hand: “Castors silver.”
3. In margin in TJ’s hand: “Salad dishes.”