James Madison Papers

To James Madison from George Turner, 19 July 1789

From George Turner

Phila: July 19th. 1789

Sir,

As many of the public offices are about to be disposed of, may I crave the favour of your influence? Having experienced your friendship on a former occasion, though I did not make use of the letter you favoured me with, I feel emboldened to offer you this additional trouble, which, I trust, you will excuse.1

I am unacquainted with the particular appointments which are, at this time, to be made, and cannot therefore point out any as the particular object of my wish. Indeed, if I have any pretensions to public favour, I consider myself the least qualified to judge of them: my Friends must decide for me.

I have made no application to any gentleman in Congress, except Mr. Burke2—and he has not been so polite as even to answer my letter. I did expect some appearance, at least, of attention from him; especially as he comes from a state in which I long served, with no discredit, I hope, to myself.

Impressed with the sincerest regard and respect for your character, I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obliged and most obedient Servant—

G Turner

RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.

1During the summer of 1787 Turner had solicited JM’s aid in obtaining a federal post in the Northwest Territory. In September 1789 the Senate approved his nomination as a territorial judge (PJM description begins William T. Hutchinson et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison (vols. 1–10, Chicago, 1962–77; vols. 11—, Charlottesville, Va., 1977—). description ends , X, 52–53 and n. 2; DHFC description begins Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds., Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America (3 vols. to date; Baltimore, 1972—). description ends , II, 38–39).

2Representative Aedanus Burke of South Carolina.

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