Thomas Jefferson Papers
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To Thomas Jefferson from George Wolcott, 16 February 1804

From George Wolcott

Saybrook Feby. 16th. 1804

Excellent Sir

I have received the Commissions your Excellency has been pleased to honor me with—appointing me Surveyor of the Customs—and Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Saybrook—I accept them with gratitude and to the best of my ability shall faithfully discharge the Trust reposed in me

I am Excellent Sir most respectfully your Obedient Servt.

George Wolcott

RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); addressed: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson President of the United States Washington City”; franked; postmarked 20 Feb.; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Feb. and so recorded in SJL with notation “accepts” and “S.”

George Wolcott (ca. 1752-1822), a Windsor, Connecticut, native, was the older brother of Alexander Wolcott, Republican leader and customs collector for the Middletown district, of which Saybrook was a port. The newly appointed surveyor was noted for having been removed as deputy sheriff in Hartford County for his political opinions during the “reign of terror.” The Federalist press criticized the administration for appointing another Wolcott to office, especially since he lived in the country “fifty miles” from Saybrook. Wolcott relocated to the port, where he remained in office the rest of his life (Hartford Connecticut Courant, 14 Mch. 1804; Hartford American Mercury, 22 Mch. 1804; New London Connecticut Gazette, 6 Feb. 1822; Vol. 40:85, 86n).

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