The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 3 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
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The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 3 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
Dear Sir,--I wrote you last on the 13th of June. The Senate have passed
the bill for fixing the residence of Congress at Philadelphia for ten
years, and then permanently at Georgetown; it has been read once or twice
in the House of Representatives, and will be ultimately decided on the day
after to-morrow. I believe it will pass there by a considerable majority.
I imagine we shall remove from hence early in September, which will
consequently be the time for my paying a short visit to Monticello. There
is reason to expect a rupture has taken place between Spain and England.
If so, it will involve France, and so render the present war of Europe
almost universal there. I hope they will all see it their interest to let
us make bread for them in peace, and to give us a good price for it. We
have every moral certainty that wheat will be high for years to come. I
cannot, therefore, my dear Sir, omit to press, for myself, the going into
that culture as much as you think practicable. In Albemarle, I presume
we may lay aside tobacco entirely; and in Bedford, the more we can lay
it aside the happier I shall be. I believe it cannot there be entirely
discontinued, for want of open lands. I will also be obliged to you to
give such orders for preparing for the next year's crop in the plantation
given to Mr. Randolph, as you would for me, were it to remain in my hands.
I know he will be glad to have as much wheat sowed as possible. While good
crops of grain, and a good price for them, will prepare a good income,
if we can avoid paying that away to the stores, all will be well. For
this purpose, it is vastly desirable to be getting under way with our
domestic cultivation and manufacture of hemp, flax, cotton and wool for
the negroes. If we may decide from past experience, we may safely say
that war and domestic manufacture are more gainful than peace and store
supplies. The present price of wheat here is a dollar a bushel.
Present my best esteem to Mrs. Lewis and your family. I am, dear Sir, your
affectionate friend and humble servant.
TO E. RUTLEDGE, ESQ.
New York, July 4, 1790.
Dear Sir,--Your favor of April 28 came to hand May 11, and found me under
a severe indisposition, which kept me from all business more than a month,
and still permits me to apply but very sparingly. That of June 20 was
delivered me two days ago by young Mr. Middleton, whom I was very glad to
see, as I am everybody and everything which comes from you. It will give
me great pleasure to be of any use to him, on his father's account as well
as yours.
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