From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 12 May 1793
To John Wayles Eppes
Philadelphia May. 12. 1793
Dear Sir
I have just received from Donald & Burton the invoice of your books. Thinking you would be impatient to hear something of them, I inclose you the invoice. They have been shipped from Dublin on board the Young eagle, Elias Lord. The four last in the invoice came here under the care of Mr. Marshal, who told me he would have them delivered to me as soon as they could be come at in the ship. They shall be sent on to you the moment they are landed. I believe I never rendered any account of the money deposited in my hands for your use while here. You know my constant employment and will therefore excuse it. It is to supply the omission that I have now gone over my memorandums and made out a statement. Be so good as to compare it with your own notes and correct mine wherever wrong, for I cannot answer for perfect exactness.—Your friends here complain that you have written to none of them. We do not know whether you are gone or going to Wms. burg. You have missed seeing what has highly gratified the great mass of Philadelphians, British prizes brought in by French armed vessels. Thousands and thousands collected on the beach when the first came up, and when they saw the British colours reversed and the French flying above them they rent the air with peals of exultation. I have got off my furniture &c. to Virginia, so as to be in readiness for flight the moment I find an apt occasion. My friendly respects to Mr. & Mrs. Eppes & family, & am Dear Sir your’s affectionately
Th: Jefferson
PrC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. J. W. Eppes.” Tr (MHi); 19th-century copy. Enclosures: (1) Invoice of Donald & Burton to Whieldon & Butterworth, 30 Dec. 1792, for eighteen books purchased in Dublin and four bought in London, all itemized by title, except an unnamed “upper book in the parcel,” and by price, the whole totaling £25.16.0 (PrC of Tr in DLC: TJ Papers, 85:14773; entirely in TJ’s hand; with letter of Donald & Burton to Whieldon & Butterworth at foot of list: “Since our last we have received your invoice from Ireland, and find the three last articles not charged, therefore conclude they have not been printed there, or that our correspondent has neglected sending them”; at foot of text: “The above is a copy of the invoice sent by Donald & Burton to Th:J. and by him sent to J.W. Eppes. May. 12. 1793”; enclosed in Donald & Burton to TJ, 9 Mch. 1793, recorded in SJL as received 6 May 1793, but not found). (2) TJ’s Account with Eppes, n.d., containing entries for 20 Apr. 1791–5 Apr. 1793 (PrC in CSmH; entirely in TJ’s hand).
For the law books TJ had ordered for Eppes, see enclosure to TJ to Alexander Donald, 11 Oct. 1792. Except for the unnamed work, the twenty-one titles listed there match those named in the enclosed invoice.