Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from William Barton, 26 April 1801

From William Barton

Lancaster (Penns.) Apl. 26. 1801

Sir,

Jacob Mayer, Esquire, late Consul of the United States at St. Domingo, will have the honor to present to you this Letter. With Mr. Mayer’s name, in his Official capacity, you cannot be unacquainted: But, being personally unknown to you, he is desirous of an introduction.—This desire, being prompted as well by his high veneration for your character, as by motives which concern the dignity of the Government and his own reputation,—having been expressed to me,—I have presumed, Sir, to afford him this opportunity of gratifying his earnest wish—

I have known this gentleman, almost from his childhood; and, from the confidence I feel in his probity and honor, as well as talents and zeal for his Country’s service, I humbly beg leave to recommend him to the notice of the President.—

With the most respectful attachment And highest personal consideration, I have the Honor to be, Sir, Your most obedt. Servt.

w. barton

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 24 Apr. received 20 May and so recorded in SJL, with a brace connecting it with two other letters received on the same date, one from Thomas McKean of 6 May (not found), and the other from George Logan of 10 May, with notations “for Myers” and “Off.”; also endorsed by TJ: “Mayer to be Consul St. Domingo.”

Jacob Mayer, who was named U.S. consul to the port of Cap-Français in May 1796, was removed from office in May 1800 after criticizing the conduct of the consul general, Dr. Edward Stevens, whom Mayer accused of exploiting his office to benefit himself and Timothy Pickering. Mayer was replaced by Henry Hammond in December 1800 (JEP description begins Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States… to the Termination of the Nineteenth Congress, Washington, D.C., 1828, 3 vols. description ends , 1:213, 356; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 1:127–9, 221–2).

Index Entries