From Thomas Jefferson to Jesse Simms, 25 November 1803
To Jesse Simms
Washington Nov. 25. 03.
Sir
I have learned with real regret that my bill for the Canvasbacks you were so obliging as to furnish me the last year, had been suffered to remain unpaid. I took it for granted my Steward had taken care to pay it in time. immediately on finding it had not been done I desired mr Barnes of Georgetown to remit you 57. D. the amount which I hope has been done. Colo. Brent had promised he would intercede to obtain the same favor from you for the present year also, which will be very acceptable to me, if convenient for yourself. I pray you to recieve my thanks for the past, and my salutations & good wishes.
Th: Jefferson
PrC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Jesse Sims”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.
Jesse Simms had lived in Alexandria since at least 1792, when he added his name to a petition favoring the incorporation of a bank in the town. An investor in the Potomac River Company, he advertised at different times as a merchant, shipowner, cash broker and stockbroker, attorney, and manager of the postal stage connecting Alexandria with Baltimore. For several years, he ran the coffeehouse at the tavern of John Gadsby (, 1:152; 2:9, 146, 236; Columbian Mirror and Alexandria Gazette, 1 July and 19 Aug. 1797; Centinel of Liberty, and George-Town and Washington Advertiser, 16 July 1799; “Petition of Merchants of Alexandria, 1792,” , 2d ser., 3 [1923], 206-7; , Ret. Ser. , 2:6-7).
On the preceding day, TJ endorsed an account between Simms and Gadsby for 38 pairs of ducks, dated 7 Jan. 1803, with the note, “desired mr Barnes to remit 57. D.” (MS in MHi).