DODGE TO JEFFERSON, AUGUST 1, 1780



          J. XlI. P. LF GRAS TO CLARK, August 1, 1780.
                  [Draper MSS., SJ54.-A. L. S.]
                                 ST VINCENNE 1't Augt 1780.
 SIR
   It seems by Messrs Lajeunesse  Gamelin's reports to me that
 you have refused to give them a Certificate concerning my bills of
 exchange. The Governor  Counsel of Virginia have refused to
 pay me for want of such Certificate. they are in doubt if your
 intention was to draw for hard Cash or for limber dollars; it is
 very hard after what trouble I had the quantity of money I have
 spended to retrieve my own that I must be yet in danger of losing
 all; I have nevertheless furnished this very day one hundred
 weight of flour to discharged soldiers going to the Falls of Oyo
 not knowing who shall pay for it; and I am every day obliged to
 pay Sums of Money to different people for which I was Security
 for the State
 I have the honor to be with respect Sir Your most obedt and
 most Humble Servant
                                          J. M. P. LEGRAS
  P. S. having advanced all my fortune to the State I will be
obliged to go again to Virginia, if not paid, or go and hide myself
in Some remoted part of the world, not being able to pay my
debts; this I hope you will take into consideration, and be my
friend.
COL" G. R. CLARK Esqr
[Addressed:] To Colo R. Clark Commandant falls of Oyo
[Endorsed:] Col Legras Vencennes


     JOHN DODGE TO THOXuAS JEFFERSON, August 1, 1780.
                [Cal. of Va. State Papers, i., 367.1
                          FORT JEFFERSON August 1st 1780.
SIR
  I think it my indispensable duty to lay before you a true state
of our situation in this Country since my arrival, which probably
may throw some lights on the various reports, which may reach



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