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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to Governor Clinton

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00986 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: Washington Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 May 1801 Pagination: 1 p. ; address : free frank ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Seeking advice on various appointments from the Governor. In part: "To you I need not make the observation that of all the duties imposed on the Executive head of a government, appointment to office is the most difficult & most irksome..." Goes on to ask for specific recommendations for Naval and other positions. Free-franked; docketed by Clinton.

Notes: Ford 8: 52-54. Matthew Livingston Davis was a friend and later biographer of Aaron Burr. Solomon Southwick, printer, journalist and adherant of Clinton, later served in various official state positions.

Washington May 17.1801.
Dear Sir
To you I need not make the observation that of all the duties imposed on the Executive head of a government, appointment to office is the most difficult & most irksome. You have had long experience of it, and are I hope by this time ascertained of being in the way of experiencing it again, on which accept my sincere congratulations. Disposed myself to make as few changes in office as possible, to endeavor to restore harmony by avoiding every thing harsh, and to remove only for malconduct, I have nevertheless been persuaded that circumstances in your state, and still more in the neighboring states on both sides, require [struck: d] something more. It is represented that the Collector, Naval officer, & Supervisor ought all to be removed for the violence of their characters & conduct. The following arrangement was agreed on by Colo. Burr & some of your Senators & representatives[:] David Gelston, collector, Theodorus Bailey Naval officer, & M. L. Davis, supervisor. Yet all did not agree in [struck: this] all the particulars, & I have since recieved letters expressly stating that mr. Bailey has not readiness & habit enough of business for the office of Naval officer, and some suggestions that [struck: the] mr. Davis's standing in society & other circumstances will render his not a respectable appointment to the important office of Supervisor[.] Unacquainted myself with these & the other characters in the state which might be proper for these offices, and forced to decide on the opinions of others, there is no one whose opinion would command with me greater respect than yours, if you would be so good as to advise me, which of these characters & what other would be fittest for these offices. Not only competent talents, but respectability in the public estimation are to be considered. You may be assured that your information to me shall be confidential, & used only to inform my own judgment. We also want a Marshall for the Albany district. S. Southwick had been thought of, but he will not accept. Will you be so good as to propose one? Hoping for your friendly aid in these appointments, I pray you to accept assurances of my perfect esteem and high consideration & respect.
Th: Jefferson
Governor Clinton
[address leaf:]
free
Th: Jefferson
George Clinton esq.
New York

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

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