§ From John Mercer. 23 August 1806, Fredericksburg. “Mr. Hackley, formerly of this town but now of New York, informs me of his wish to fill any vacancy existing in the american Consulates, for which the President may think him qualified, after receiving the necessary information concerning him. He asks my recommendation in his favor. I had the pleasure sometime ago of naming this Gentleman to Mr. Jefferson, and have had no reason since to alter the good opinion which I then entertained of his character. His integrity and blameless morals have been long known to me, and I believe his talents sufficient to enable him to discharge, with propriety, the duties of the situation which he seeks. Mr. Hackley has been embarrassed in his merchantile affairs, but I believe that these are brought to a close, and from the information of respectable individuals here, who have been intimate with him as a merchant, I learn that his conduct, in these transactions, is without reproach. He has been uniform in his attachment to the principles of the american Governments.”