Daniel Brent to Thomas Jefferson, 25 September 1819
From Daniel Brent
Washington, Department of State, 25th September 1819.
Dear Sir,
In assorting the Archives and Papers of this Department, upon their being lately1 removed to one of the new Buildings for the Public Offices, we have just found, in the Collection of Maps and Charts, the sketch which accompanies this,2 under a seperate Cover. This Sketch appears to be a plan for introducing Water to Monticello from a neighbouring mountain, and perhaps has remained in the situation in which it was thus found ever since you were at the Head of this Office.3 As it may be interesting and useful to yourself, and is evidently your Property, I take great Pleasure in forwarding it to you, as well as in repeating the assurance of my being, with perfect Respect and Esteem, Dear Sir, your obedt & very hu: servt
Daniel Brent.
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 29 Sept. 1819 and so recorded in SJL. RC (DLC); address cover only; with PoC of TJ to James Madison, 28 Jan. 1821, on verso; addressed: “Mr Jefferson, Monticello”; franked; postmarked Washington, 25 Sept. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, DL).
The plan for introducing water to monticello may be TJ’s undated sketch for a fish pond, which shows “pipes from the High Mountain” (Montalto) leading to the house (CSmH: JF-CJT, HM 9400; see , 38 [no. 180]).
1. Word not in FC.
2. FC here adds “Letter.”
3. FC: “Department.”