Description:

Superb Jefferson Letter to His Former Banker about Finances of Polish Freedom Fighter General Kosciuszko

In this extensive letter to Georgetown merchant and banker John Barnes, former President Thomas Jefferson discusses General Kosciuszko's investments in the Bank of Pennsylvania, his need for a commission merchant in Philadelphia, debts owed to him, and his health. It is effectively signed "Jefferson" twice because of the mention of "mr Jefferson" in the text, a reference to Thomas Jefferson's first cousin once removed George Jefferson (1748-1812) of the Philadelphia merchant firm of Gibson and Jefferson.

THOMAS JEFFERSON, Autograph Letter Signed, to John Barnes, June 29, 1811, Monticello. 2 pp.

This letter reveals Jefferson's management of investments in Philadelphia by his friend Thaddeus (Tadeusz) Kosciuszko (1746-1817). Born in Poland and trained in artillery and engineering in Europe, Kosciuszko arrived in Philadelphia in 1776 to join the American cause. The fortifications he designed contributed to the American victory at Saratoga and the protection of West Point on the Hudson River. At the end of the Revolutionary War, Kosciuszko returned to Poland, where he fought in wars against Russia and Prussia. Wounded in 1794, he was captured and imprisoned in St. Petersburg, Russia. After the death of Empress Catherine the Great, her son and successor, Tsar Paul I, granted Kosciuszko amnesty in exchange for a promise not to return to Poland. Kosciuszko arrived in Philadelphia in August 1797 and in less than a year that he spent there formed a strong friendship with Vice President Thomas Jefferson. Kosciuszko returned to Europe in 1798, but the two continued a correspondence until Kosciuszko's death. When Jefferson became president, Kosciuszko wrote, "do not forget yourself in your post, always be virtuous, republican with justice and probity, without display and ambition. In a word, be Jefferson and my friend." Jefferson described Kosciuszko as "as pure a son of liberty as I have ever known."

In January 1798, Congress authorized payment to Kosciuszko of 6 percent interest for the period 1793-1797 on $12,280.54 that the United States owed him for his service during the Revolutionary War. Acting on Jefferson's advice, Kosciuszko entrusted the management of his American finances to John Barnes, who invested the funds in thirty shares of the Bank of Pennsylvania. Kosciuszko also appointed Jefferson as his attorney to manage his property in the United States. Jefferson proceeded to make Barnes an attorney "under myself" on behalf of Kosciuszko in matters relating to his shares in the Bank of Pennsylvania.

On April 4, 1811, Jefferson wrote to Barnes to inform him that he had asked Gibson & Jefferson to pay the $360 for General Kosciuszko, "being the interest on his money in my hands for the last year" to Barnes. Jefferson told Barnes that "I am labouring & employing all the resources I can spare to wipe out my Washington debt paid for me by the bank of Richmond. the crop now going to market reduces it so that the one now preparing will clear it off entirely. this done, I can easily repay the General's money with the crop of the next year." The "Washington debt" to which Jefferson refers is "the heavy debt, which on winding up my affairs at Washington [in 1809], I found I had contracted there," which "placed me under great difficulties, & will keep me long in a crippled state." In January 1810, Jefferson wrote to Barnes "in a couple of years more I shall be able to clear out all the difficulties I brought on myself in Washington (11,000.D.) from an inability to follow your good counsel."

John James Beckley (1757-1807) served as the first librarian of Congress, from 1802 to 1807. He had earlier served as mayor of Richmond, Virginia, and clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (1789-1797, 1801-1807). In 1796, he managed the Jefferson campaign in Pennsylvania, making him the first American professional campaign manager. He married Maria Prince (1772-1833) in 1790, just before Congress moved from New York to Philadelphia. Beckley was indebted to Jefferson when he died, and his widow Maria Prince Beckley insisted she could not resolve the debt until her brothers returned from the West Indies. They had entrusted a valuable ship and cargo to "Men, as they thought of honor, and fidelity," but who had stolen both ship and cargo. They were hoping to recover it and be able to settle the debt with Jefferson. In this letter, Jefferson effectively gave up on ever collecting it, writing, "impossible things must be thought no more of."

On January 29, 1811, Richard Barry (ca. 1779-1813) wrote to Jefferson that he intended to build a house "to live in for the first in my life" and asked Jefferson to pay the amount he owed to Barry by March 20. Barry was a painter and glazier who had done intermittent work at Monticello between 1805 and 1808. Barry reiterated his request on March 11, and one week later Jefferson replied that he could not pay until the end of April. Jefferson paid $100 on April 3 and hoped to direct George Jefferson to send another $100 within a few days, but could not pay the balance of $75 until "towards the close of the season, when all is at market." Barry reiterated his calls for payment of the balance in December 1811 and January 1812, and it appears that Jefferson paid most of the balance by mid-March.

In January Jefferson had written to Barnes, "My present life is of action altogether & without doors." In his letter of June 18, Barnes wrote to Jefferson: "I have some thoughts of making a short Tour the insuing Mo to Philada (health permitting) which of late I have not—as heretofore injoyed.—no Unusual complaint (save weakness--&c—the Natural effect, of advanced Age.)" In this letter, Jefferson responds with some alarm and considerable understanding: "I am very sensible of it in myself. I have long lost the power of walking any distance, and feel that I do not ride now with as little fatigue as I used to do."

Complete Transcript
Monticello, June 29, 11.
Dear Sir
Your favor of June 18th is recieved as had been in due time that of Apr. 25. I now inclose you the order on the bank of Pensva for Genl Kosciuzko's July dividend. I inclosed to him one copy of the bill of exchange you sent me by mr Barlow, & a 2d by mr Warden, both then expected to sail shortly & in different vessels. I have not however as yet heard of the actual sailing of either. The newspapers say they are detained till the arrival of the Essex hourly expected. still I think it would be better if you, in your visit to Philadelphia, could find some eligible conveyance for the 3d of Exchange, which with that view I now return to you. I recieved mrs Beckley's letter in yours. presuming her unable to pay what is due to me, I mean not to have it mentioned to her again. it's reciept would always have been & still would be a sensible convenience to me, as small sums give me difficulty while I am devoting every thing to my Washington debt, in order to get out of the bank: but impossible things must be thought no more of. you did right in paying Barry the hundred Dollars. I wonder mr Jefferson did not mention they were for him, as I had done in my order. I thank you for your kind offer of service in Philada, but at present have nothing particular for that place. expecting that the harvest we are now reaping will clear me of the bank, I am looking forward to the time, not distant I hope, when I may send to Philadelphia for every thing I use in my family. I pay 167 D. here for what costs 100. D. there. freight & charges add only 20. pr ct. if you could recommend any merchant there who would purchase for me on Commission as faithfully and kindly as you used to do, it would be a valuable service to me, as soon as I am in a state to avail myself of it. I learn with concern the increase of feebleness of which you complain. I may sympathize in it the more feelingly inasmuch as I am very sensible of it in myself. I have long lost the power of walking any distance, and feel that I do not ride now with as little fatigue as I used to do. providence is kindly withdrawing by degrees the enjoiments of life that we may leave it without reluctance. I wish you had thought a visit to Monticello as friendly to your views of health as Philadelphia. I am persuaded it would have been as much so, and been recieved with more welcome in our tranquil situation, than the bustle & distraction of a great town will admit. try it the next experiment you make with the same view, and follow afterwards the course which shall have proved itself most favorable, and accept in the mean time my prayers for a longer continuance of the blessings of strength, health & happiness.
Th: Jefferson

John Barnes (ca. 1730-1826) was born in England and immigrated to New York in 1760, then to Philadelphia in 1790. He served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. From 1795 to 1809, he served as Thomas Jefferson's private banker, commission agent, and grocer. Barnes moved to Georgetown in 1800, and President Jefferson appointed Barnes as the collector of Georgetown in 1806, a position he held until his death. In 1795, Jefferson described Barnes as the "most punctual and assiduous man in business I ever knew." In his will, Barnes requested that an image taken of him in 1820 and "a print of the late General Kosciusko, in a black frame" be "respectfully presented to Thomas Jefferson at his seat Monticello" as "a token of grateful remembrance for the many favors received and confidences reposed in me for more than twenty-five years agency in conducting his own private funds, as well as those of his deceased and distinguished and much lamented friend whose memory will be ever dear to this country."

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.

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