Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Peter Carr, 20 July 1803

From Peter Carr

Carr’s-brook. July 20th 1803.

Dear Sir

We arrived here on the 14th, all well, and found the accomodations on the road by Stevensburg, much better than we expected. The hospitality and politeness of Strode induced us to stay a day with him, greatly to the advantage of ourselves and horses. From what I heard in that neighbourhood, you will find the Marquis’s road, a difficult one for a carriage.

Since my arrival, I met accidentally in Charlottesville, Mr Daniel of Cumberland, to whom you talked of offering the place of Judge, in the District of Columbia. In the course of conversation I sounded him on the subject, and am inclined to think he would accept it. If he would, I am sure there is no man who would discharge its duties with more integrity and ability. Mr Madison is well acquainted with him, and I believe will add his sanction to this opinion. I heard yesterday from Edge-hill, and they were all well. Accept assurances of my sincere and affectionate attachment.

P: Carr

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 27 July and so recorded in SJL.

Carr here offered information on William daniel, a lawyer who represented Cumberland County in the Virginia General Assembly for a number of years and later served as a judge in the state’s General Court (DVB description begins John T. Kneebone and others, eds., Dictionary of Virginia Biography, Richmond, 1998- , 3 vols. description ends , 3:694-5; Leonard, General Assembly description begins Cynthia Miller Leonard, comp., The General Assembly of Virginia, July 30, 1619-January 11, 1978: A Bicentennial Register of Members, Richmond, 1978 description ends , 211, 215, 219, 223, 227, 242, 246, 250, 254, 259, 265, 269). In a letter of 23 July, Daniel requested more information from Carr and explained that although it was “probable” that he would “accept an appointment” as circuit court judge for the district of columbia, Carr should not assume Daniel “to be bound to accept or refuse by this note” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Daniel Wm. to P. Carr to be judge of Columbia”).

For the impending court vacancy, see John Thomson Mason to TJ, 7 July 1803.

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