To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles, 20 October 1772
From John Wayles
Octr. 20. 1772.
Sir
I received your favour by […]st and thank you for the various intellig[ence. The?] Genl. Courts determination concern[ing] the devise of slaves must be attended w[ith] Mischievious consequences. I have hea[rd] nothing about dear Patty since you left this place. Our sale of Slaves go[es] on Slowly so ’tis uncertain when we shall be down but I suppose before the Rebel party leaves town. I am Your afft. Svt.,
J. Wayles
RC (MHi). Mutilated. Addressed: “To Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Wmsburgh.”
John Wayles, of The Forest, Charles City co., Jefferson’s father-in-law, died in the following May (Kimball, Road to Glory, p. 178–80; Malone, Jefferson, i, 432). His reference to the general courts determination is probably to the decision in the case of Herndon v. Carr, reported in full detail by TJ himself in Reports of Cases Determined in the General Court of Virginia, Charlottesville, 1829, p. 132–6, q.v. Our sale of slaves: An advertisement in the ( ) for 8 Oct. 1772 (repeated 15 and 22 Oct.) reads as follows:
“Just arrived from Africa, the Ship Prince of Wales, James Bivins Commander, with about four Hundred five healthy Slaves; the Sale of which will begin at Bermuda Hundred on Thursday the 8th of October, and continue until all are sold.
John Wayles.
Richard Randolph.”
Patty: The familiar name for Martha Wayles Jefferson used by TJ and her family.