Thomas Jefferson to David Gelston, 15 June 1809
To David Gelston
Monticello June 15. 09.
Sir
Immediately on the reciept of your favor of Apr. 22. I desired messrs Gibson & Jefferson, my correspondents at Richmond to remit you the 18. D 25 c amount of duties of the two boxes of wine which you informed me you had recieved for me. this I trust they have done. in the mean time I have recieved one of the boxes containing 3. doz. bottles of wine (considerable breakage excepted) as you had mentioned that there were 2. boxes, I wrote to Gibson & Jefferson on the subject, and now inclose you their answer. having as yet recieved no advice respecting this wine but your letter I am unable to throw any light on the subject, or to state any claim respecting it. perhaps the information which accompanied the boxes to your hands may do it. Accept the assurances of my esteem & respect.
Th: Jefferson
PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr Gelston”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: George Jefferson to TJ, 12 June 1809 (first letter).
David Gelston (1744–1828), a native of Suffolk County, New York, was a merchant who served in the state provincial congress from 1775 to 1777 and the state assembly from 1777 to 1785. In 1786 he moved to New York City. Three years later he represented New York in the last Confederation Congress, and he served in the state senate, 1791–94 and in 1798 and 1802. Gelston was a zealous Republican and a close associate of Aaron Burr. TJ appointed him collector of the district of New York early in July 1801, and he held that post until 1820 (Frederic Gregory Mather, The Refugees of 1776 from Long Island to Connecticut [1913], 355–6; , 1:403, 405, 3:218 [6, 26 Jan. 1802, 27 Nov. 1820]; Mary-Jo Kline and others, eds., Political Correspondence and Public Papers of Aaron Burr [1983], 1:225–6, 535–6, 570; Washington National Intelligencer, 25 Aug. 1828).
TJ’s 1 May 1809 letter to gibson & jefferson was actually addressed to George Jefferson.