From Thomas Jefferson to John Watson, 2 June 1801
To John Watson
Washington June 2. 1801.
Dear Sir
Your’s of the 16th. May came to hand on the 20th. there is this day placed in the hands of Gibson & Jefferson 285. Dollars subject to your order for mr Barbee which I hope may be conveniently transferred to your place for his use.—my outfit here has been so excessively heavy on me, that all my own resources added to that of the public salary recievable only as it becomes due, are insufficient to meet the calls; and I shall be streightened for some two or three months to come.1 you must have a little patience therefore as to the 143.73 D I have to remit you on other accounts. it shall be done the first moment it is in my power. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of esteem.
Th: Jefferson
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. John Watson.”
John Watson (d. 1841) of Milton moved from Amherst around 1790 and settled in Albemarle County where he served as postmaster, magistrate, sheriff, and merchant and factor for Alexander Brydie and Co. In 1813 he purchased a thousand-acre plantation, Forest Hill, on the south side of the Rivanna River (, 339; , 264; , 2:915n; Vol. 30:627; Vol. 32:15n).
Watson’s letters of the 16th. May and 19 June from Milton, received by TJ on 20 May and 24 June, respectively, are recorded in SJL but have not been found. On 20 Apr. TJ purchased 95 barrels of corn from William Barbee at $3 per barrel, to be delivered to John H. Craven and payable on 10 June. TJ made payment to Watson, drawn on Gibson & Jefferson, on 2 June for $285 (, 2:1038–9, 1043, 1044, 1055). For the $143.73, see John Barnes to TJ, 7 Oct.
1. TJ here canceled “I do not.”