THOMAS JEFFERSON, Richmond, to COLONEL [THEODORICK] BLAND., 1779

Scope and content:

T. J. refers to Bland's recent letter to former Governor [Patrick] Henry forwarding an unspecified request from British General [William] Phillips, currently imprisoned with the British troops at the Barracks in Albemarle County, Va. He discusses the barbarities of Indian attacks upon settlers at the instigation of British General [Henry] Hamilton into whose conduct the Council [of State] will soon be inquiring, noting that there should be a respect for Hamilton's "honorable bravery" in opposition to the "cruel & cowardly warfare of the savage, whose object in war is to extinguish human nature." He informs Bland that the militia under his command should be discharged, repeats Colonel [William] Finnie's instructions on applying for clothes for Bland's regiment of guards and horse, and authorizes him to put the guards and horse under his command together on the same payroll as both are part of the Continental Army.

Physical description:

DS. 1 pp.; docketed; remains of seal; waterstained; holes at edges and creases partially obscuring text; silked.

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