To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Richardson, 18 May 1801
From Richard Richardson
Richmond May 18th 1801
Dr. Sir
a letter addrested to mr Jones of this place I think Conserns me. I think I must be the person to whome the inquirey makes mention of as I no of no one Else by my name who was with you at that time and of no person being at philadelphia with you about that time and after takeing leave of you In Philadelphia I went on to new york and saw this man whome it is said is dead I should be glad to have your advice on this subject it is worthey of my attention Should you think proper to give me your advice1 on this subject you will be good Enough to send me a Certificate to Certify that I was on with you to Philadelphia and about that time and any advice from you on the subject will be vearey thankfuley Recievd by your vearey
Humble servent
Rd. Richardson
Ps you will be good Enough to remit me the balance due me as I shall be in great want. I am yours
Rd Rdson
RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr Th. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 May and so recorded in SJL.
On 17 May 1800, Jonathan Morton wrote Meriwether Jones from Jamaica requesting that he publish a query in the Richmond Examiner for the location of a young man named Richard Richardson, who had traveled with TJ, while vice president, from Virginia to Philadelphia “to learn the art” of stonecutting. According to the account, Richardson visited New York in 1798 and met a Joseph Richardson from Jamaica. Joseph Richardson died shortly after he returned to the West Indies and left his newfound relative in the United States about £3,000 worth of property (RC in MHi).
Send me a certificate: see enclosure at TJ to Richardson, 1 June 1801.
1. MS: “advie.”