To Thomas Jefferson from Kentucky Members of the House of Representatives, 28 February 1805
From Kentucky Members
of the House of Representatives
City of Washington 28th. Feby 1805—
Sir,
We take the liberty of Recommending to you Mr. Felix Grundy of Kentucky as a fit person to fill an Office of Commissioner under the act for Ascertaining the Titles and Claims to land within the territory of orleans & District of Louisiana, Mr. Grundy is of fair Character and unimpeachable integrity He was bred to the law and in the course of seven or eight years practice in his profession has distinguished himself both as an advocate and a Lawyer, he is active industrious and persevering in all his persuits and we have no hesitation to say that if the trust shou’d be reposed in him he will execute it with talents & fidility that will be Honorable to himself and be highly satisfactory to the people and Government
we are Sir your Most Obt. Sert
John Boyle
Matthew Walton
John Fowler
Thomas Sandford
M Lyon
We also recommend Mr John Thompson of Kentucky as a person well qualifyed to fill an office of Commissioner under the above mentioned law,
Tho Mr. Thompson has not practised the law he has made it his Study & we believe has a competent knowledge of it for the discharge of the duties of said Office, we are informed & believe that Mr. Thompson understands the French language & we know that he sustains a very fair and unexceptionable character
John Boyle
Matthew Walton
John Fowler
Thomas Sandford
M Lyon
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); each recommendation in Walton’s hand, signed by all; addressed: “To the President of the United States”; recommendation for Felix Grundy endorsed by TJ as received 1 Mch. and “Grundy Felix to be Commr. for Orleans” and so recorded in SJL; recommendation for John Thompson endorsed by TJ as received 1 Mch. and “Thompson John. to be Comr. Orleans” and so recorded in SJL.
The act for ascertaining and adjusting land titles in Orleans Territory and Louisiana District, enacted on 2 Mch., authorized the president to divide Orleans into two land districts and appoint a register for each, and also to appoint a recorder of land titles for Louisiana District. In addition, the president was to appoint two commissioners for Louisiana District and two commissioners for each Orleans land district. The commissioners, together with the registers and recorders of their districts, would determine the validity of land titles based on French or Spanish grants (, 2:324-9).