From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 23 June 1805
To James Currie
Washington June 23. 1805.
Dear Sir
Dr. Bruff a dentist the bearer of this, has resided some years in this place, and has justly acquired the character of a very excellent man. possessing talents of the very first order in mechanics he has applied them with great success to the invention & improvement of the instruments of his art & much to the advantage of those who have occasion to employ him. having been of that number myself, I speak from some experience of him. he pays a visit to Richmond, with some thoughts of a permanent settlement either there or at Petersburg. having a real wish he may meet with the success which his merit & skill deserve, any good offices you may be so good as to render him will give me pleasure & be gratefully felt by him. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great & constant esteem & respect.
Th: Jefferson
P.S. should your peregrinations in the months of Aug. or September lead you into the neighborhood of Monticello I shall be happy to see you there.
PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Dr. Currie”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “by Dr. Bruff.”
For TJ’s interactions with dentist and inventor Thomas Bruff, see Vol. 36:125n and , 5:108n. Most recently, TJ had paid Bruff five dollars in January for drawing a tooth (, 2:1144).