To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Hanson, 4 May 1802
From Samuel Hanson
The Retreat, May 4th, 1802
Dear Sir,
My Friend, Mr. Carr, this moment informs me that you were so obliging as to make enquiry, on my account, respecting the supposed resignation of Mr. Wagner. That report was circulated in this neighbourhood—in consequence of information given to Mr. Saml. Carr by Mr. Henry Brown on Sunday last, who mentioned it as a certain fact. Mr. Brown being a Clerk in one of the offices, the authority was supposed to be good. Mr. Carr having mentioned a circumstance—the Sale of Mr. Wagner’s furniture in a few days—which would seem to indicate either his resignation, or his intention of it, I take the liberty of sending up to ascertain the matter; and to request the favour of you to employ your good-offices with mr. Madison in obtaining the appointment for me.
Understanding that a knowledge of the French and Spanish Languages is necessary to the discharge of the office, I beg leave to state that I can translate the French with great facility; and that I will engage to acquire the Spanish, in the same degree, in the course of a few weeks. This promise, if I do not deceive myself, my previous acquaintance with the Latin & French Tongues will enable me to perform. I am sensible, Sir, that it will require all your indulgence to excuse the trouble which, directly and indirectly, I give you. My only apology is, the distressed situation of my family, consisting of a wife and Six helpless children.
With perfect respect and Esteem Dear Sir Yrs
S Hanson of Saml
RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States By S. Hanson of Saml junr”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 May and so recorded in SJL.
On 21 June, TJ’s nephew Dabney CARR, Jr., wrote to James Madison, recommending Hanson, an “acquaintance of long standing,” but declined to vouch “whether he be competent to supply the place of Mr Wagner” (, Sec. of State Ser., 3:329).
SUPPOSED RESIGNATION OF MR. WAGNER: by late March, state department chief clerk Jacob Wagner had taken his physician’s advice to move to Baltimore, where he hoped to alleviate a “lingering disorder” and to continue the duties of his office away from Washington. Both the Gazette of the United States and the Philadelphia Gazette reported on 23 Apr. that Wagner had resigned “in consequence of extreme ill health.” On 30 Apr., Wagner informed Madison he needed to take a leave to recover from “the heavy oppression and gloom” under which he had been working. Madison refused to accept the resignation and observed that Wagner had brought on his ailments by too closely attending to his duties and should not “retire until his health was perfectly restored.” Wagner did not return to his post until November 1802 (Washington Federalist, 12 May 1802; , Sec. of State Ser., 3:47–8, 89–90, 168).
For Hanson’s DISTRESSED SITUATION after his removal as cashier of the Bank of Columbia, see , Sec. of State Ser., 3:200–1 and Vol. 35:42–7, 399–400.