Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to Lieutenant of Berkeley County
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07335 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: Charlottesville, Virginia Type: Letter signed Date: 29 May 1781 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 20.4 x 16.5 cm. Order a Copy
Virginia Governor Jefferson tells the "County Lieutenant of Berkeley" that men having been deserting from the French army and navy in America and instructs him to give orders to apprehend any possible foreign deserters at the ferry crossings in Berkeley. He is to send any suspects to the headquarters of the Marquis de Lafayette. Being addressed from Charlottesville is unusual.
Charlottesville May 29. 1781.
Sir,
Information having been given me that a considerable number of men have deserted from the French army & navy in America which the Commanding Officers are very urgent to have apprehended, I must desire you to give orders at the several ferries in your County that all foreigners offering to cross at them and having the appearance of Soldiers a Seamen be examined with great strictness, & if there be good reason to believe them to be deserters that they then be delivered to such person as you shall appoint to guard them till you can have an opportunity [struck: of] by militia or otherwise to send them with a State of the circumstances of suspicion to the head Quarters of Majr Genl the Marquis La Fayette. I am with much respect Sir Yr mo obedt Sevrt.
Th: Jefferson
Berkeley
[address leaf]
The County Lieutenant
of
Berkeley
[docket]
Thos Jefferson
Letter
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