Van Ness, John Peter (1770-1846) to Joseph B. Varnum
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.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03845.19 Author/Creator: Van Ness, John Peter (1770-1846) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Letter signed Date: 11 August 1814 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25.5 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Written as Congressman, Van Ness informs Varnum of the vacancy of Secretary of the Senate because of the death of Mr. Otis. Recommends Major Thomas C. McKenney to the position. Van Ness is acquainted with McKenney's political and personal principles and believes them to be sound. "... I am but doing justice to him, as well as to myself, to recommend him to your warmest and most favorable consideration."
Van Ness was a Representative from New York; president of the Metropolitan bank; mayor of the city of Washington D.C.; and a trustee of various institutions. The House of Representatives declared that he had forfeited his seat by accepting a commission from the general government, and he was relieved from office, 17 January, 1803.
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.