From Thomas Jefferson to Hughes & Allen, 21 April 1805
To Hughes & Allen
Washington Apr. 21. 05
Gentlemen
Mr. Cathalan of Marseilles, by letter of Dec. 20. informed me that he had shipped some wines & other articles for me on your ship the New Orleans, which had sailed the day before, bound for Norfolk. having never yet heard of the arrival of the vessel, I take the liberty of asking information from you respecting her, & my articles on board her, if you can give any. Accept my respectful salutations.
Th: Jefferson
RC (MHi); at head of text: “Messrs. James H. Hughes & William Allen of Philadelphia”; at foot of text in hand of J. P. G. Muhlenberg: “Mr. B. Wilsons information” and “The Ship New Orleans met with a heavy gale of Wind soon after she sailed & put into Port Mahon to refit having received much damage, was expected to sail from thence for Norfolk when repaird.” PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL with notation “returned. no such house.” Enclosed in TJ to Muhlenberg, 21 Apr.
James H. Hughes and William Allen were Norfolk merchants (Stephen Cathalan, Jr., to TJ, 9 Aug. 1805; Alexandria Daily Advertiser, 13 June 1805).
letter of Dec. 20: Stephen Cathalan, Jr., to TJ, 8 Dec. 1804 (first letter), with postscript of 20 Dec.