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Barbara B. Oberg, senior research scholar and lecturer with the rank of professor at Princeton University, is general editor of "The Papers of Thomas Jefferson".

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The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Volume 34

Princeton University Press

Chapter One

From Abraham Baldwin

Dear Sir Green County May 1st 1801

For these ten days I have been on a journey on our frontier, and am just informed that Mr Clay refuses to accept the appointment of Circuit Judge. I avail myself of a transient opportunity and a coarse piece of paper to execute my promise of giving you all the information in my power in such contingences. I know you are fully [under] the impression of the ill consequences of multiplying the incumbents who will be brought forward as the principal arguments against the repeal of the new judiciary law, but should you find it expedient to All the offices I wish you to be furnished with all the means of judging which it is in my power to give. We have, within these few years, lost the best of our lawyers by death or removal to other states. Those who are left have been generally violent partizans on the wrong side. There is still a preference among them, but not very clearly distinguished. It is desirable that the circuit judge should be from the interior part of the state, as all the former appointments from that profession have been confined to Savannah and its neigbourhood. George Walton who resides at Augusta, and is now one of the Judges of our Superior court is the man whom the lawyers in this part of the state seem generally to recommend. After hearing so fully as we have the character of Govr St. Clair, you may know almost perfectly the character and present situation of Judge Walton. As one of the signers of the declaration of Independence and a uniform whig in the time of our revolution, he is on higher ground than any other man in this state, by his letter which I put into your hands and by his conduct, as far as I am able to judge, he is not an unrelenting federalist: he might answer for circuit judge till the next meeting of Congress. Matthew McAllister was appointed our first district attorney he lives in Savannah and is at present one of the Judges of our Superior court. William Stephens is a native of Savannah has been mayor of the City and Judge of the Superior court; like our friend Coxe he has been a uniform whig in modern times. If it is expedient to appoint a circuit judge in this state, at present as far as my recollection enables me by myself to form an opinion the three whom I have mentioned should present themselves first to your consideration: it is not material to which you give the preference. You may perhaps have information from some other quarter which will enable you to see a preference more clearly than I do. I hope you will not give yourself the trouble of answering this. I shall be in Augusta in the course of a week or ten days and if anything occurs which it may be useful for you to know, be assured it shall not be neglected. There appears to be still order and good government in the state and on the frontier. I see nothing likely to disturb our tranquility. With great respect I am

Dear Sir

Yrs, Abr Baldwin

To Samuel Carr

Dear Sir Washington May 1. 1801.

I arrived here the day before yesterday, having left your mother well at Monticello, and your other friends in the neighborhood likewise so. Peter carried his election by a majority of 110. or 120. I have engaged a waggon to come on with my things, and propose she should return loaded with Ash. The quantity necessary for me would be 12,000. But as she cannot carry [the] whole, I can have a couple of barrels taken in for you. Have you or [will] you engage them, to be gutted & headed, & delivered in strong tight barrels? where must the waggon go for them? how soon will they be ready? what [is the] price? the bearer comes for answers to these questions, that I may [be in] readiness on the arrival of the waggon. My sister was of opinion she would be obliged to engage a waggon to come on, as the one I employ will be so full that your beds & c. Can not be squeezed in the same waggoner would probably come again for you. He is trusty, & comes reasonably. His name is Fontrees.-mr & mrs Madison will be here today. I [...] yourself & mrs Carr joy on the birth of a son & heir How does she do? affectionate salutations to you both & to the family. Th: Jefferson

P.S. possibly mr S. Carr may be gone to Albemarle. If so, I ask the favor of mr Overton Carr to give me any information he can on the subject of the fish.

From James Linn

Sir City of Washington 1st May 1801

In March last I took the liberty to mention to you some names for appointments in Jersey-Upon returning home I was happy to find that it would be very pleasing to the republicans to have George Maxwell appointed district Attorney, and that even the federalists expected he would be honored with that appointment-As to the office of Marshal, I had some doubts whether Doctor Barnett the gentleman whose name I mentioned for that appointment would accept of it-but I find that if he is honored with that appointment he will not hesitate in accepting of it-

From a conversation which I had a few days ago with Mr. Southard of New Jersey who is elected a representative to the next congress, I find that a Mr. Rozell has obtained a recommendation from some respectable characters for the appointment of Supervisor-But Mr Southard informed me that at the time he signed the recommendation of Mr. Rozell he did not know that my name had been mentioned for that office, and that he did not think any of the gentlemen who favored Mr. Rozell's application knew [of] that circumstance, and had he known it he would not have been concerned in the application of Mr. Rozell-

I took the liberty to address to you from New Jersey in March last a letter on the subject of this appointment, which I expect has been received-

I would beg leave to observe that there will be a severe contest in Jersey between the republicans and federalists for the state government-the event is very doubtful-We think that the offices in that state under the general government being put into the hands of the republicans would be powerful auxiliaries in this important contest, And therefore we look forward with anxiety for the period to arrive when the influence which these appointments naturally give shall be directed towards the overthrow of an aristocracy which disregards the happiness of our citizens, and solely aims at the agrandisement of a few ambitious men-

I am Sir your most Huml. Sevt. James Linn

Notes on John Hunter's Recommendations

[ca. 1 May 1801]

S. Carolina-

J. Hunter considers John Ewing Calhoun first in information & integrity. And local knolege of S.C. Drayton Govr. John Julius Pringle Atty Gen., Wm. Johnston a judge, Paul Hamilton comptrollr. of treasy. in the lower country

in the middle country. Ephraim Rumsy Silvanus Bluf near Augusta Wade Hampton. Columbia

in the upper country Genl. Pickens.Genl. Anderson the above are proper persons to consult on the subject of appmts

From Newbury Township Inhabitants

[before 2 May 1801]

Address of a meeting of near two hundred of the inhabitants of Newbury Township in York County Pennsylvania-To Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States,

Called upon by the United States to perform the most important of her tasks, we Batter ourselves that Assurances of the sincere attachment and steady support of any description of her citizens will not be unacceptable.

Influenced by this impression and highly gratified with the sentiments you have anounced as the governing principles of your administration we feel it our pleasure And conceive it our duty to tender you our most zealous and affectionate support. May that Spirit of benevolent toleration which so conspicuously distinguish you amidst the conflicting elements of party spread like oil on the troubled Ocean untill all is soothed into Order & peace.

Signed in and by order of the Meeting By Henry Krieger James Todd Jesse Glancy Eli Lewis R. Hamersly Jr.

To the Aliens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania

Sir Washington May 2. 1801.

The satisfaction which, in the name of the foreigners residing in Beaver county, you are pleased to express in my appointment to the Presidency of the United States, the expectations you form of the character of my administration, and your kind wishes for my happiness demand my sincere thanks. Born in other countries, yet believing you could be happier in this, our laws acknolege, as they should do, your right to join us in society, conforming, as I doubt not you will do, to our established rules that these rules shall be as equal as prudential considerations will admit, will certainly be the aim of our legislatures, general & particular to unequal privileges among members of the same society the spirit of our nation is, with one accord adverse if the unexampled state of the world has in any instance occasioned among us temporary departures from the system of equal rule, the restoration of tranquility will doubtless produce reconsideration: & your own knolege of the liberal conduct heretofore observed towards strangers settling among us will warrant the belief that what is right will be done accept a reciprocation of wishes for your present & future welfare, & assurances of my high consideration & respect. Th: Jefferson

From [Thomas Dill]

Dear Sir, May the 2d Anno Domini 1801

Your office & Calling is weighty & Important Indeed, O how much need you have of Divine pure wisdom & knowledge & understanding from god to Instruct & Counsel & direct you how to do Justly & love mercy & walk humbly with & before god & how to Execute Righteous & Just Judgment & in all your thoughts & words & Actions & motions & ways walk and Conduct, to Study & promote & Confirm promulgate And Establish the good of the common wealth in general throughout the whole American States & who is Sufficient for such a task & burden & Charge; as this to Rule & govern under god Justly & Righteously in the fear of the Great & Gracious Almighty Sovereign of the whole Universe In Such a way & manner as to be a terror to Evil Doers; & a praise to them that do well & ever to follow after Righteousness & fulfill the honourable place & Station & Relation of a Nursing father in pressing it strongly upon the Citizens in those Neighbouring American States; to do to Others as they would have others do to them; & for every man to Speak the truth at all times & in all places one to Another; & to live in love & unity & good will and Concord & harmony; furthering the wealth and outward Estate & welfare of one another, forgiving & lending freely one to another without grudging & let every man look upon the things of others as well as their own things; & always to provoke one Another to love god who is love & to love one another as themselves, & God the lord above all things else And as all the American States & the citizens; therein as under your Inspection O Strive with all your might & power to Get the people to love god for God is love & to love one another; & loose the bands of wickedness & undo the heavy burdens; and let the oppressed go free & that ye break every yoke & Deal your bread to the hungry & bring the poor that are cast out to thy house & when thou seest the Naked that thou Cover him & that thou hide not thyself from thy own Besh Never forget nor Neglect, poor widows & orphans & poor pilgrims & strangers & sojourners in the land-This commanded Duty we have from gods own mouth in the 58th Chaptr of Isaiah the 6th 7th & 8th verses; & the Rich men of this world God does not allow to wrong & Rob & oppress the poor the hireling & to pray for grace free saving regenerating grace heart purifying & soul sanctifying grace & salvation for one another from god in & through christ Jesus the lord these things is surely our duty in order to Qualify & make us worthy good citizens & Rulers so that we may enjoy the Smiles of heaven & that we may be Careful & watchful Against offending or breaking the peace with other Neighbouring Nations there is an Absolute Necessity for the punishment of profane cursing & swearing Drunkenness & Sabbath breaking And Stealing, & Cheating defrauding And exortion Avarice or covetousness luxury lasciviousness Intemperance Gluttony Extortion & Injustice & pride & vain glory; It is a great Evil to pamper the body too much in excessive eating & drinking & the Setting up of Idol Gods in the heart, when god has said thou Shalt have no other gods before me, that Righteousness & Justice & peace & love & equity may encrease & grow Spread & Abound throughout our American States; we must fear the god of heaven & keep his commands every Day as a Rule of life carefully and his everlasting gospel as a Rule of faith & practice; & in so doing we shall be a happy people both Rulers & ruled governors & governed & presidents & citizens & people Noble & Ignoble Laiyety commonality & Congress Assemblys & must observe these things herein mentioned; from A POOR AFFLICTED SICKLY BRUISED REED

(Continues...)

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