Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to Reuben Perry, 5 August 1814

To Reuben Perry

Monticello Aug. 5. 14.

Dear Sir

I promised you that on the completion of the bill of scantling I gave you, and the reciept of your account, I would give you an order on Richmond, for the amount of that & of the old balance. this I did on the confidence that my last year’s crop of flour, in the hands of Gibson & Jefferson in Richmond, (400. Barrels) would be sold for something. but mr Gibson in his last letter informs me that he has offered it for 3¼.D. in vain, & that he does not believe it can at this time be disposed of at any price. I had further confided that, even if the sale was deferred, I could obtain a small and short accomodation from the bank of Richmond, which I would have done rather than keep you out of your money. but he further informs me that the bank has suspended discounts, & is calling in their debts. I have not learnt whether mr Adkinson has compleated the bill; but whether he has or not, I am sincerely mortified to be obliged to inform you that I shall not be able to make good my word, for the causes before stated. the great collection of force at Norfolk, which can only be supplied with bread from James river ought to produce soon a sensible demand; and the increasing prospects of peace, which acquire more and more strength, may set the exporters in motion, and enable us to turn our produce into money. until this happens, it seems vain to name days of paiment; but you may be assured that not a day shall be passed over after either the sale of my flour or return of the usual course of business at the bank of Richmond shall enable me to give you a draught as promised. Accept my best wishes.

Th: Jefferson

PoC (ViW: TC-JP); at foot of text: “Mr Reuben Perry”; endorsed by TJ.

Index Entries

  • Atkinson, Michael; and millwork for TJ search
  • Bank of Virginia (Richmond); calls in debts search
  • Bank of Virginia (Richmond); TJ’s loan from search
  • flour; price of search
  • flour; sale of search
  • Gibson, Patrick; and TJ’s flour search
  • Gibson & Jefferson (Richmond firm); flour sold for TJ search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Business & Financial Affairs; loan from Bank of Virginia search
  • Monticello (TJ’s estate); flour from search
  • Norfolk, Va.; and War of1812 search
  • Perry, Reuben; account with search
  • Perry, Reuben; letters to search
  • Perry, Reuben; TJ’s carpenter search
  • Richmond, Va.; flour prices at search
  • War of1812; and economy search
  • War of1812; in Norfolk search