To James Madison from Andrew Moore, 9 April 1801 (Abstract)
§ From Andrew Moore1
9 April 1801, Rockbridge. “I find that a report prevails here—That the Marshall appointed for this district is not Commission.d In Consequence of Which Mr John Alexander of this place has applied to me To Mention him through you to the President. I have Mentiond Shields as an applicant for the same Appointment—and feel a Reluctance in Mentioning a Second. A Candid Statement However of the Pretentions of the Applicants Will be the best Guide to a favorable Cho[i]ce. Mr Alexander is a Young Man Highly esteemed by all his Acqua[i]ntances—Industrious and attentive to Buisness—Has with his Connections considrable Influance in the county. From my long Acquaintance with him as well as from his known Character for diligenc[e] and attention to Buisness—Should The President Confer the Appointment I am assur.d he will discharge the Duties with Ability and Integrity.”
Adds in a postscript: “My low State of Health Obliges me to imploy a Scribe to write for me. I begin to recover Slowly after a Confinement of Near five Months.”
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801–9, filed under “Alexander”). 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, except for Moore’s complimentary close and signature.
1. A Revolutionary War veteran, Republican Andrew Moore (1752–1821) of Rockbridge County, Virginia, studied law with George Wythe. Between 1780 and 1802 he served several terms in the Virginia General Assembly, where he worked closely with JM. He served in the House of Representatives, 1789–97 and 1803–4, and in the Senate, 1804–9. On 6 Jan. 1802 Jefferson submitted Moore’s name to the Senate as a recess appointee as marshal for the western district of Virginia in the place of Robert Grattan, who was “nominated … but not appointed.” Moore lost that position when the judicial system was reformed, and in 1810 JM named him marshal for the state, a post he held until his death (, 3:390 n.; , 1:400, 402, 2:156; Leonard, General Assembly of Virginia, 1619–1978, xxvi, xxviii, 139, 142, 147, 151, 158, 162, 166, 174, 217, 222, 225).