To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 14 May 1804
From Albert Gallatin
New York 14th May 1804
Dear Sir
I enclose a formidable recommendation in favour of Th. Newton as Collector for Norfolk; also the letters of resignation of Morgan & Garland. The last is mistaken as the office of surveyor, in N. Orleans, will be better than that of naval officer. Considering the difficulty of making appointments there, and that it was your original intention to appoint him naval officer, might it not do to give him that commission, and to Mr Nicholas that of surveyor.
Nothing new here.
With great respect & attachment Your obedt. Servt.
Albert Gallatin
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 17 May and “Morgan. Garland. R. C. Nicholas. Newton” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Benjamin Morgan to Gabriel Duvall, 20 Mch. from New Orleans, declining the appointment as naval officer for the district; Morgan is grateful for the offer but is too extensively engaged in business to accept (RC in DNA: RG 59, RD; endorsed by TJ: “Morgan Benj. declines Navl. officer’s place”). (2) William G. Garland to Duvall, 31 Mch. from New Orleans, stating that it is “inconvenient” for him to accept an appointment as surveyor of the customs and inspector of the revenue; Garland appreciates this mark of confidence but feels that the duties would have interfered with his private concerns; because he intends to retire from mercantile affairs, he would have willingly accepted an appointment as naval officer (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Garland Wm. G. declines surveyor. but will accept Navl. officer”). Other enclosure not found.