To Thomas Jefferson from Robert King, Sr., 23 August 1802
From Robert King, Sr.
On board the Richmond, in the
Potomac River—August 23rd. 1802.
Sir.
Altho unknown to you I take the liberty of inclosing my Ideas on inland Navigation. If the subject be worthy attention you can best bring it forward to the consideration of the Citizens. As a National concern, it may at a future day afford a Revenue to Government without oppressing individuals; diffuse wealth and population through the Western Country and tend to the prosperity of the United States. If these hints should in the smallest degree tend to so desireable an end, I shall be amply repaid.
Yours respectfully
R King
RC (ViW: Tucker-Coleman Collection); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Oct. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ, perhaps at a later date: “see Canals, among papers arranged according to Subjects.”
ALTHO UNKNOWN TO YOU: King had recently corresponded with TJ about his work in the District of Columbia’s surveyor’s office. See Robert King, Sr., to TJ, 5 June 1802, and TJ’s response of 7 June.