To Thomas Jefferson from Craven Peyton, 29 April 1803
From Craven Peyton
Milton 29th. Apl. 1803
Dear Sir
On my coming to this place to day I was much surprised to find Mr. Issack Millar & John Henderson engaged in leveling the Millseat and from what Henderson informd. Millar he actually offard him One Thousand Dollars for his interest. as I was informd. in consequence of what I said to Millar he appeared to be back ward, himself & Mr. Meriweathar are about to be concerned in the purchase. the plan they are now about to persue is to establish an Ordar of Court Monday Next which I shall oppose and at all events have it posponed untill I receave instructions from you how to act Henderson is a Man of so base principles I railey wish you woud. purchase those two lotts. howevar if you think him in your way. Any instructions which you may think propar to give shall be strictly attended to. Majr. Randolph is elected for this district.
with much Esteem Yr. Obt.
C Peyton
RC (ViU); endorsed by TJ as received 1 May and so recorded in SJL.
much surprised: TJ had his own plans for mills on the Rivanna River. The toll mill, built by Peter Jefferson and later destroyed in a freshet, was not rebuilt until 1803. TJ had also been planning a large manufacturing mill since 1793 and contracted with James Walker and Michael Hope for the layout of the site (, 341–3; Vol. 38:429–30, 438; TJ to Walker, 25 Mch. 1803).
For Peyton’s earlier concerns about john henderson, see Peyton to TJ, 13 Nov. 1802.