T. Jefferson Forwards Multiple Dispatches "by the return of post to Mr. Madison", Including on Re: Florida & Napoleon

1p, measuring 7.125" x 9.625", Monticello, dated September 13, 1808. Signed "Th: Jefferson" as President and addressed to Edgar Patterson, a government contractor. With flattened mail folds, light toning and soiling, and a bold signature. Very fine.

The letter is a hurried note, regarding a letter Patterson sent to Jefferson which was then forwarded to Secretary of State James Madison. Reading in full:

"I received not till yesterday your favor of the 5th and I send it by the return of post to Mr. Madison with whom it rests to provide bearers for his dispatches, but as the vessel was destined to sail from Thursday to Tuesday next, he must undoubtedly have made his provision, however I have taken the only chance of giving effect to your wishes and salute you with esteem." 

Jefferson lost no time writing to Madison, penning his forwarding letter that very same day. Writing in part: "I send you a letter of Short's for perusal, & one of Edgar Patterson asking what is already I presume provided for…" Jefferson forwarded Patterson's letter along with numerous others, including several that discuss Napoleon Bonaparte, French seamen, and the possession of Florida by England or Spain. He continues in his letter to Madison: "One of General Armstrong which I do not well understand because I do not recollect the particular letter which came by Haley. I presume the counsel he refers to is to take possession of the Floridas. This letter of June 15 is written after the cession by Carlos to Bonaparte of all his dominions, when he supposed England would at once pounce on the Floridas as a prey, or Bonaparte occupy it as a neighbor. His next will be written after the people of Spain will have annihilated the cession, England become the protector of Florida, and Bonaparte without title or means to plant himself there as our neighbor…"

Following the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson attempted to annex West Florida from Spain, a nation under the control of Emperor Napoleon and the French Empire. In late 1805, Jefferson secretly requested a two million dollar expenditure from Congress to purchase Florida. Despite some misgivings from congressional members, the $2 million bill passed and was signed into law in February 1806. The two million dollars was to be given to France as payment who, in turn, would put pressure on Spain to accept the annexation of Florida. France, however, refused the offer, and Florida remained under the control of Spain until 1819.

Edgar Patterson was a rather innocuous figure in history up until 1814. He was a businessman and frequently sought supply contracts from Madison and provided small favors for President Jefferson. A letter dated February 1, 1808, records Jefferson asking Patterson to convey two watches to him which were procured from Philadelphia. However, during the War of 1812, Patterson became a radically important ally. As the British drew nearer to the nation's capital in the summer of 1814, State Department clerk Stephen Pleasonton ordered the removal of the country's most important documents, including the Declaration of Independence, numerous George Washington correspondence, various treaties, etc., and likely the Constitution, Articles of Confederation, and the Bill of Rights. These documents were stored in linen bags and loaded onto 22 carts to be removed from the capital. The first place they were moved to was an abandoned gristmill owned by Edgar Patterson. It is unknown how long the documents remained there, but they were later moved to Rokeby Mansion due to fears of an attack on a nearby munitions foundry.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!