Colo: Brent having notified to you his intention of resigning the Office of Marshal of the District of Columbia, at the expiration of the present year—Mr. Daniel Bussard who acts as his principal Deputy within the County of Washington, tells me, that it is his intention to apply to you for that appointment. He has requested me to state what I may feel myself justified in saying in his behalf, and although I am far from presuming that any thing from me will benefit him materially in his views, I deem it no more than an act of justice, having from my situation a good opportunity of observing his official Deportment, to give him the feeble aid which my testimony may afford him.

Since Mr Bussard has acted in the Office of Marshal, his conduct has been such as I believe has given entire satisfaction, and as far as it has come within my observation, he has done his Duty with correctness, fidelity and humanity.

Mr Bussard tells me he will have the aid of Recommendations from among the most respectable of our Inhabitants, in addition to testimonials which are already in his possession. His circumstances are, I have always understood, perfectly independ[ant] and he has been uniformly a friend of our present administration. I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the highest respect,

Sir, Your Mo: Obt Serv.