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Auction: 314 - Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1106

Jefferson, Thomas Third President of the United States (1743-1826, served 1801-09); Vice President under John Adams; first US Secretary of State; made the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon, doubling the nation´s size; principal author of the Declaration of Independence and one of its Signers. Extraordinary Autograph Letter Signed "Th: Jefferson" while Vice President and President-elect, 1 full page, 4to, Washington, 1/8/1801. Writing to his assistant overseer at Monticello [Richard Richardson] less than two months before his inauguration, Jefferson discusses arrangements for hiring slaves from other plantations to assist in completing projects at his estate. He writes: "I recieved [sic] a few days ago your letter Dec. 22 and on the 5th inst. I wrote mr. Jefferson [his distant relative, Richmond merchant George Jefferson] and now inclose you an order on him for 550.16 D or say 165.1 [pounds] to be applied as follows: for Henry Duke for Simon - 21.10 / Stephen - 20.10 / Ed. Goodwin adm´r...of Dickeson´s esta[te] John - 16.16 / [Isa]ac - 16.1 / the [wi]dow Duke for Mat - 20.0 / Hendrick´s estate for Moses - 20.0 / yourself for Joe - 19.0 / do. on account - 31.4, [summing to] 165.5 / D550.16. The last sum was intended to have been [thirty pounds] exact as you desired: but a mistake in addition mad[e] me state 165.1 to mr. Jefferson so that your part became 31.4 to be credited in our account. I do not recollect whether I was to pay you or not for mr. Duke, so you can either recieve & pay him...or give him an order for it on mr. Jefferson, as it is hazardous to send money by the post I procured an exchange of money here with a person who was to recieve money there...I have desired mr. Jefferson i[f] there is any delay to let me know by return of post...I am very sorry indeed to hear of so poor a chance for hiring laborers. It will be a serious embarrasment to me. I am in hopes you will have been able [t]o procure me some. I have not yet heard of Powell´s going up to stay; but have written to mr. Eppes [John Wayles Eppes, Jefferson´s son-in-law] to press him off. I am not yet able to give you information as to Journey work here." Jefferson has written over the word "Monticello" at head to change it to Washington. Silked with some expert restoration at folds, resulting in the loss of an occasional letter or word, however the writing and signature remain clear and strong. Normal age-toning and some soiling, otherwise Very Good. Richard Richardson began as a bricklayer at Monticello, but went with Jefferson´s encouragement to Philadelphia, where he improved his skills at stone-cutting and plastering. By 1800 he was an overseer at Monticello in charge of building and digging projects. To his relative George Jefferson, the president-elect had assigned the task of finding slaves from neighboring plantations to hire as temporary laborers. Thomas Jefferson spent over forty years supervising various projects at his estate; one such project was to dig a canal, for which he was hiring laborers at the time of this letter. Although Jefferson often rented slaves to work for him, he found the practice disturbing, and he was adverse to renting out his own, though he did so on occasion. Although he wrote of slavery as a great moral evil, Jefferson feared for the social and economic consequences of emancipation, believing it would lead to a terrible racial war. He kept meticulous records of his slaves, but examples of his correspondence mentioning the subject are quite scarce, if not rare. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson have a transcription of this letter in their files. The retained copy they have in their files shows his endorsement on the verso, with the note that the letter is to Richardson. An exceptionally fine content letter! With printed portrait.

Estimate
$30,000 to $50,000