Jefferson, Thomas. Autograph letter signed, 10 June 1811....

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Jefferson, Thomas. Autograph letter signed, 10 June 1811. Autograph letter signed ("Th: Jefferson"), 1 page (7.75 x 9.75 in.; 197 x 248 mm.), Monticello, 10 June 1811, written to George Jefferson. Marked Jefferson George . June 10.11 on verso, with a series of numbers written in pencil (in an unknown hand). Light spotting; minor separation at folds with archival reinforcement on verso. In violation of the Non-Importation Act of 1806, Thomas Jefferson buys 50 wool blankets for his slaves at Monticello, wishing to remain anonymous to avoid any political fallout. "In the progress of the non-importation law, there is a single article of British manufacture, for the want of which we may suffer piercing distress. That is, the striped blankets for the negroes, for which no substitute can be had. I think it a duty to those poor creatures to look to this in time." Jefferson writes in full: Dear Sir I recieved [sic] yesterday yours of the 6th informing me of the sale of part of my flour at my lowest limit of 9. D. You must be so good as to consider that limit as removed. It was originally proposed at a season when I was satisfied the market must come to that notwithstanding momentary depressions. But the season is now arrives when the approach of harvest must necessarily lower the demand & price. We must therefore take what we can get for any still in hand, as no rise can be expected for this season, & the commodity will not keep till another. In the progress of the non-importation law, there is a single article of British manufacture, for the want of which we may suffer piercing distress. That is, the striped blankets for the negroes, for which no substitute can be had. I think it a duty to those poor creatures to look to this in time. Could you procure me 50 in Richmond or elsewhere? Perhaps they may as yet be had and without an extravagant advance, altho some advance must even now be expected. You will remove a load of painful apprehension from my mind if you can secure me on this article. I wish not to be named as the purchaser, being desirous that my name may not be connected with any subject which may be distorted into a political aspect. I shall set out for Bedford this day overnight and return to our harvest. Ever affectionately yours, Th: Jefferson P.S. I make some small draughts on you, too inconsiderable to merit letters of advice, my writing & signature being so well known. The Non-Importation Act of 1806 banned the entry of woolen cloth over 5 shillings per square yard, yet Jefferson willingly broke the law to avoid the suffering of "those poor creatures".