From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 22 October 1790
To James Currie
Monticello Oct. 22. 1790.
Dear Doctor
The return of Mr. Randolph’s servant affords me the first opportunity of informing you that I mentioned the subject you desired to the gentleman who was to call on me. He is intelligent and close, and has his suspicions always about him. I was obliged therefore to avoid any direct proposition or question, and only prepare him by declaring my opinion in such a way as to avoid suspicion. He has my testimony of the talents of the person proposed, and so given as to weigh with him, but I have no means of conjecturing the part he may take but his acquiescence in the correspondence between the character I gave and the idea he had formed from other information. Wishing you success in all your undertakings and health and happiness I am with great esteem Dr. Sir your friend & servt.,
Th: Jefferson
Tr (ViU).
On 13 Sep. 1790 Currie wrote TJ from Richmond: “I took the liberty of dropping you a line by Major Farley to N York some time ago: permit me now to welcome you to your native State and home. I should be glad to know whether you expect to be down here and when; if during your stay in Virginia you intend at all wishing to have the pleasure of some conversation with you and advice in some matter regarding myself. Your acquainting me as soon as convenient by a line, will much oblige me” (RC in DLC, endorsed by TJ as received 19 Sep. 1790 and so recorded in SJL). Currie’s note by Major Farley has not been found and is not recorded in SJL. The gentleman to whom TJ spoke about Currie’s subject has not been identified, but the matter may have related to that discussed in Currie’s letters of 14 and 15 Mch. 1791.