To James Madison from Hugh Holmes, 23 February 1810 (Abstract)
§ From Hugh Holmes
23 February 1810, Winchester. Asks JM to find a position in one of the territories for Henry Daingerfield.1 “Because he is your distant relation and a Virginian I feel a confidence that you will render a service to him which he deserves and thereby a greater One to your Country.” The secretaryship in Mississippi would be appropriate, since Daingerfield is “the bosom friend” of the governor.
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1809–17, filed under “Daingerfield”). 4 pp. Printed in Carter, Territorial Papers, Mississippi, 6:49–50. Holmes was a judge of the Virginia General Court and brother of Gov. David Holmes of Mississippi. JM also received a letter on Daingerfield’s behalf from Lawrence Augustine Washington, a nephew of George Washington, dated 18 Mar. 1810 (printed ibid., 6:53).
1. Henry Daingerfield (1771–1815) of Winchester, Frederick County, was a grandson of JM’s aunt, Elizabeth Madison Willis Beale. He received a recess appointment as secretary of the Mississippi Territory on 30 June 1810 and served in that office until his death (, 32 [1924]: 135; , 1st ser., 6 [1897–98]: 207; Carter, Territorial Papers, Mississippi, 6:75 n. 72, 514 n. 89; , 2:159, 161).