From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel L. Hylton, 1 March 1791
To Daniel L. Hylton
Philadelphia Mar. 1. 1791.
Dear Sir
I recieved yesterday your favor of Feb. 20. and should not so soon have troubled you with an answer, but that you mention that the Vis-a-vis has been long ago shipped for this place. This is the first news I have heard of it, and I imagined it still at your house. I now presume that some accident has happened respecting it, and will therefore thank you for the name of the vessel and captain by which it was to come, and such other circumstances as may serve as a clue to search into the matter.—I thank you for the readiness with which you have been so good as to undertake my little commission about the tobacco. I know that there was among my tobacco from Bedford certain hogsheads injured by having fired in the field. If the inspectors can point them out, be so good as to let only one of the fired hhds. come, as I have reason to believe they will not do here. I have great encouragement to bring this as well as my future crops here. I shall be determined by the sample I have asked you to send, which will be large enough to enable the tobacconists here to decide whether the quality suits them. If it does, I shall have the residue brought. This makes me anxious to recieve the twenty hogsheads. Present my affectionate compliments to Mrs. Hylton, and am Dear Sir Your friend & servt,
Th: Jefferson
PrC (MHi).
The vis-à-vis was one that TJ evidently had admired when he stopped with the Hyltons on 4 Oct. 1790 and for which he proposed an exchange with Mrs. Hylton, whom he also admired (see TJ to Hylton, 4 Nov. 1790). Adam Lindsay wrote from Norfolk on 4 Mch. 1791: “About three weeks ago, a box was sent to my house from Williamsburg, directed to you. I suposed some person had instructions to forward it but no one has apply’d. I take the opportunity of the Sloop Netty Capt. Cuningham of sending the box round to you. I shall be happy it arrives safe. Should there be any services in my power to render you here you may at all times command me. I had the pleasure of hearing by Mr. Hylton that Mrs. Randolf was well. I hope your little daughter is likewise so” (RC in MHi; endorsed by TJ as received 12 Mch. 1791 and so recorded in SJL). The vessel on which the vis-à-vis was shipped was evidently lost at sea (Hylton to TJ, 14 Apr. 1791).