Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from George E. Cordell, 9 October 1802

From George E. Cordell

Leesburg Oct. 9th. 1802.

Honoured Sir.

My self and a Number of This Country’s well wishers are highly pleased with what ever you have done since you have been elected Our Chief Magistrate. But more especially with your blessed fortitude. Forbaring to take Notice of the many Scandalous misresentations of your Administration. dear Sir I am nothing more than a Mecanic. but am Acquainted with a multitude of People of the upper, and middle Class, and am Often surprised to hear the Fedl. party complaining about the internal Taxes being loped off. &c two years is not yet passed since I heard the same people complaining of the weight of the Taxes. I have made free with some of the restless souls, and told them to forward the Tax on their Cariages to the Treasury and let them there abide till their Apprehended mission takes place. then I should think them Patriotts indeed.

Frederick county in Maryland have voted in four very Good men.  last monday I hope all the Other counties in that state and this will follow their example. pray Sir excuse me for making so free with a Gentleman of your importance as to inclose a little paper to Smile at. I am Sir. with unfained good wishes. your hearty well wisher for the United States sake and my own &c.

Geo. E. Cordell

RC (DLC); addressed: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. City of Washington”; franked; postmarked 10 Oct.; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Oct. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not identified.

George E. Cordell was presumably the same individual who years later advertised the sale of livestock, furniture, and “two good CLOCKS” in order to fulfill “a desire to remove from Leesburg” and “to discharge all my debts of every description” (Leesburg, Va., Genius of Liberty, 15 July 1817).

FOUR VERY GOOD MEN: on the previous day Bartgis’s Republican Gazette of Frederick, Maryland, reported the election of the Republican slate of candidates to represent the county in Maryland’s House of Delegates.

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