1To Thomas Jefferson from James G. W. Neale, 26 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I need not tell you that I am poor; if I were not, I should be spared the disagreeable feelings I experience in commencing a beggar: My friends would be ambitious to serve me in soliciting the favour I am about to ask, which is a commission in the army. I will not pretend to be well qualified for discharging the duties of an officer; my circumstances through life, have been too depressed to...
2To Thomas Jefferson from James G. W. Neale, 18 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
There was a time when republicans felt, or affected to feel an honest indignation at the idea of conferring all offices in the army merely upon account of family connections, and I had hoped to have found them, when in power, acting up to the principles they then advocated; Yet I find by sad experience, that republicans in theory, and republicans in practice are very different characters....
3To Thomas Jefferson from James G. W. Neale, 30 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
As every inclination is entirely suppressed, which induced me to apply for a commission in the army; I shall be much obliged to you, if you will be so good as to return the certificates and Letter which I enclosed in one addressed to you some time in June last; together, with the recommendation in my behalf, which I enclosed in another letter to you about the 31st. of December last. Although,...
4To Thomas Jefferson from James G. W. Neale, 4 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to thank you, for the favour you have done me, in dischargeng me from the Marine Corps. I shall ever remember it with the warmest gratitude. Not, that it excludes me from the defence of my beloved Country; but, because it freed me from the insolence of worthless characters clothed in petty authority. Should an occasion offer, perhaps I may not be found the least useful, or patriotic...