Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Anonymous, 8 February 1806

Opelousas February 8th. 1806

Sir

A Stranger, an inhabitant of this County, has undertaken the disagreable task pointing out some of your defective appointments; no impure Motive has urged the step—it arose from a sincere wish to do away the ill impressions, which the inhabitants have received towards the Americans from the conduct of Mr. Vacher and Mr. McGruder of the board of Commissioners, neither of whom have been sober since their arrival and the former has scarcely sense enough to keep his hands out of the fire—Few or no claims have been entered because we have no confidence in drundards; we would have been contented with old Mr. Thompson, but at present a majority would do away the benefit that we might receive from his good sense—besides the people suppose that you think them all fools, by your sending such men among them and besides it injures the Democratic Cause and promotes disaffection and gives the federalist something upon which to ground abuse against administration—suppose however that you were ignorant of the men and supposed them qualified—they were recommended equally ignorant of them or impurely actuated, perhaps they were Adamites—do make enquiries.

nihil probatur nisi tentatur.

DLC: Papers of Thomas Jefferson.

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