I am amongst the number of those who received real & sincere satisfaction at your appointment to your present office.

Knowing your desire to promote the public good by all means within your power or influence, I take the liberty of mentioning, as a matter of private opinion, that it appeared to me when lately in Richmd (where I suppose I heard all that could be urged in private conversation) that the charge agst. D. M. Ranph: of packing the Jury for the trial of Callender1 was far from being substantiated, as were also some other suggestions agst. Mr. R in his official Capacity; and I conceive that the freedom with which he has uniformly expressed an unfavorable opinion as to certain particulars of Mr. Jefferson’s conduct & opinions, had been in Richmd. the primary ground of suspicion of Mr. R’s improper bias in the discharge of his office.

Now as I am convinced that no personal or private Motive has operated with the President—it is for the public advantage that the thing shall so appear to the World; and altho’ I think the removal of Mr. R——ph from office has had & will have a good effect, in deterring other Mar—lls from practices similar to what he was charged with; yet I think the effect will be much more complete, if he should receive an appo[in]tment to some other office in the gift of the Executive—the ground of those charges not being made to appear.

You have, no doubt, noticed a Strange decision of the Fedl. Court at Richmond,2 by which very many importt. acts of the late Marshall would be rendered void—he would receive no compensation for very arduous services (at the same time that he is liable to prosecution for illegal proceedings) many individuals would sustain irreparable loss, and a degree of discredit be thrown upon the Executive. Is it not importt. that an appeal from that decision should be had, or that the question shou’d be brot. on in another form before the supreme Court? I am, Dr. Sir, most respectfully Your friend & hble. servt.