Framed Autographed Letter Signed during the War of 1812 by JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743 - 1826) - 1813

Monticello, VA, 1813. unbound. Outstanding and historically important letter, 1 page, 5.5 x 7.75 inches, Monticello, Virginia, November 9, 1813. Written to William Gibson, friend and business colleague of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, expressing his concern about staying at Monticello and the difficulties that will be incurred when attempting to ship produce from the plantation through the British blockade, in full: "I must ask the favor of you to send me by return of post a hundred dollars in bills from 5 to 20 d[enominations]. On receipt of this I shall immediately set out for Bedford to hasten down my hour of hence. Our river here will not yet float an empty boat, nor I expect permit a loaded boat till the middle of December. Soon after that period I am in hopes the winter gales will force the enemy from their stations in the bay, to cruise off the coast which will of course enable our produce to go out at the risk of some only being taken by the cruisers. Accept assurances of friendly esteem and respect." Attractively float mounted on an original folio decorative page, together with a period engraving by J. B. Forrest from a painting by Gilbert Stuart. Set in a black and gold frame measuring 21 x 16.5 inches, protected by UF-5 plexiglass. Fine condition. The University of Virginia possesses several letters written by Jefferson during this period in which he is concerned with the high cost of maintaining and running Monticello. William Gibson, to whom the above letter is addressed, became a partner of Thomas Jefferson for the crop-year of 1813 through their mutual friend and fellow signer Charles Carroll. This pact was necessitated due to Jefferson's previous heavy loses attempting to break the British blockade. Additional correspondence published in "The Letters of Thomas Jefferson" indicates that the former President had serious concerns of a British land invasion and would often flee Monticello upon receiving such rumors. In this case he fled Monticello on November 9, 1813 upon receipt of the $100 loan in small bills and, as is evident by a letter he sent to John Adams, returned home on November 16th when the fear of an invasion subsided.