To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 1 October 1804
From Albert Gallatin
Treasury Department 1st Octer. 1804
Sir
I have the honour to enclose two letters recommending Jonathan Delano as keeper of the light house on Seguin island, in the place of Polerizky resigned—also a letter from Sam. Tredwell stating that James Taylor surveyor of Beacon Island will undertake to keep the light at Shell castle island, which Mr Wallace the former keeper and who is the owner and sole inhabitant of Shell castle had with great impropriety suffered to remain extinguished for some time. The propriety of both appointments, as there are no other applications, is respectfully submitted.
I have the honour to be with the highest respect Sir Your most obedient Servant
Albert Gallatin
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 1 Oct. and “Lt. H. Seguin isld.” and “do. Shell castle isld.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Possibly Mark L. Hill to Benjamin Lincoln, Georgetown, Maine, 12 Apr. 1803; he has learned that John Polereczky is planning to retire as keeper of the Seguin Island lighthouse and recommends Jonathan Delano, a pilot residing on Stage Island, as his successor (DNA: RG 59, LAR). (2) Dudley B. Hobart to William Miller, Bath, Maine, 7 Sep., reporting several complaints against Polereczky as keeper of the lighthouse and recommending Delano as an honest man and someone who would be more attentive to the keeper’s duties (same; endorsed by TJ: “Delano Jonathan to be keepr. Lt. H. Seguin isld”; endorsed by Gallatin). (3) Samuel Tredwell to Gallatin, Edenton, North Carolina, 29 Aug., reporting that John Wallace has ceased lighting the beacon on Shell Castle Island and has left it in a state of disrepair; James Taylor has put the light back in operation and has been authorized to commence repairs on the beacon; Tredwell suggests Taylor would assume the duties of keeper at Shell Castle Island permanently for an annual salary of $300, or perhaps even $250 (same; endorsed by TJ: “Taylor James to be Lt. House keeper Shellcastle isld.”).