Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-37-02-0527

To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 21 June 1802

From Samuel Smith

Baltimore 21. June 1802

Sir/

I have recieved two letters from General Wilkinson. Since his Arrival in Georgia, he appears excessively mortified at the Conduct towards him of the Federal party & wounded at the Opposition of some of our friends to the Continuing of the Post of Brigadier—I pity him, he Knows no way of maintaining his family he wishes much to be appointed Surveyor General to the Missisippi territory, and will relinguish his Command for that Office—but he wishes even in that Case to hold his Commission & Grade, And to relinquish the Emoluments until Called into Service—It appears to me (as it does to him) that if the French should take possession of Louisiana that there ought to be a Military Commander at or near the Natchez as well to watch their Motion with the Indians as to be Capable of repelling any encroachments on their part—If he Can be indulged with the Appointment of Surveyor General under the Circumstance of holding his Grade, I would myself prefer it on the public Account—if he Cannot—I hope it may be agreeable to you to grant him the appointment without Such permission1—But permit me here to Say that I very much fear that Wilkinson’s Services as a military Man Cannot be dispensed with, in Case the French should possess themselves of N. Orleans— It would be difficult to prevail on any other military Man equally Capable to Accept Command—I am Sir/

With unfeigned friendship your friend & servt

S. Smith

RC (DLC): endorsed by TJ as received 23 June and so recorded in SJL.

James WILKINSON had arrived at Fort Wilkinson, Georgia, early in May. There he, Benjamin Hawkins, and Andrew Pickens negotiated a land purchase from the Creek Indians to clear the title to certain tracts of land under a provision of the “Articles of Agreement and Cession” between the United States and Georgia (Wilkinson to secretary of war, 8 May, and Wilkinson, Hawkins, and Pickens to same, 30 May, noted in DNA: RG 107, RLRMS; ASP description begins American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1832–61, 38 vols. description ends , Indian Affairs, 1:668–9; ASP description begins American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1832–61, 38 vols. description ends , Public Lands, 1:126).

1Smith first wrote “without permitting him to hold the Rank” before altering the clause to read as above.

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