James Madison Papers
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To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 26 September 1805

From James Leander Cathcart

Washington Septr: 26th: 1805.

Sir

A few days ago I made application to General Dearborn as a candidate for an Agency that is vacant at the post of Natchitoches; finding I had a rival in the person of Mr. Rodgers, I waited upon the general this morning who inform’d me that a number of respectable persons having applied for the said appointment he had determined to lay their pretensions before the President who would select the person most eligible to fill the vacancy; in my application I took the liberty to refer him to the President & yourself for any information he might conceive necessary to acquire relative to me, & now take the liberty to request you to mention me favorably to the President & to General Dearborn in order that I may not be disappointed, being fully persuaded that a few lines from you to either before the appointment takes place will insure the desired success.

The place in it self is no great acquisition, but as it is situated in a new acquired territory where the knowledge of the French & Spanish languages which I possess will be of infinite service to myself as well as render me more useful to the service I conceive it opens a road to preferment which makes it desireable.1

Mrs. Cathcart & myself frequently hears of the state of Mrs. Madisons health & are happy to find it meliorates. She desires me to request you to make her respects acceptable & to assure your lady that she is very anxious to have the plea sure of congratulating her on her perfect recovery & happy arrival at Washington. I have the honor to continue with the most respectful esteem Sir. Your Obnt. Servt.

James Leander Cathcart

RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.

1Cathcart did not receive the Indian agency appointment; it went instead to Philip Reibelt, who lingered so long at New Orleans that Dearborn at length gave up on him and appointed Thomas Linnard in his place (Carter, Territorial Papers, Orleans description begins Clarence Carter et al., eds., The Territorial Papers of the United States (28 vols.; Washington, 1934–75). description ends , 9:563 and n. 56).

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