1. On 29 Dec. 1803 Bourne wrote Jefferson (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801–9, filed under “Clarke”) that Lawson Alexander’s condition was due to “his mind being in disorder.” On 21 May 1804 Samuel Smith told JM that Alexander had been so deranged as to be “subjected to the StraightWaistcoat” but was “in a State of Recovery when last heard from” (ibid., filed under “Rutter”). When Alexander’s nomination was presented to the Senate, Robert Wright of Maryland described him as “a little deranged in his mind.” Derangement apparently not being considered a disqualification for office, Alexander’s appointment was approved on 21 Dec. 1803 (Everett Somerville Brown, ed., William Plumer’s Memorandum of Proceedings in the United States Senate, 1803–1807 [New York, 1923], p. 91; Senate Exec. Proceedings description begins Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, 1828). description ends , 1:459, 461).

2. William Clark, the son of a Lexington, Massachusetts, clergyman, was connected with the mercantile house of A. Van Loghem and Company of Amsterdam, where he resided. He had earlier applied for and received the consular appointment at Emden (Petition of Citizens of Boston, 5 Sept. 1801 [DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801–9, filed under “Clarke”]; Clark to JM, ca. 2 Aug. 1803 [PJM-SS description begins Robert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of State Series (6 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 1986–). description ends , 5:270]; Senate Exec. Proceedings description begins Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, 1828). description ends , 1:459, 460).