Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) The hiring of four slaves
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07936 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1794/12/26 Pagination: 1 p. 16 x 18 cm. Order a Copy
"Having occasion to hire for the ensuing year four very able intelligent negro-men, I hereby authorize Mr. Peter Derieux to act for me therein, and oblige myself to pay whatever hire he may stipulate for me..."
Having the occasion to hire for the ensuring year four very able intelligent Negro-men, I hereby authorize mr Peter Derieux to act for me therein, and oblige myself to pay whatever hire to may stimulate [sic] [insert] for me. and though I would not make it essential to have the hire payable in all the month of April after the year expired, yet as it is disadvantageous to be obliged to sell produce to raise money earlier than that, it influences the extent of the hire to which I have advised mr Derieux to engage me. I should be willing to pay interest from the end of the year to the day of paiment [sic] agreed on, which will sufficiently justify executors in agreeing to that delay.
Th: Jefferson
Dec. 26. 1794.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.