Thomas Jefferson Papers
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Benjamin W. Crowninshield to Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1818

From Benjamin W. Crowninshield

Navy Department January 12th 1818.

Dear1 Sir,

In acknowledging the receipt of your favour, on the subject of the Consulate at Marseilles, I beg leave to explain, that I had no intention of urging the resignation of Mr Cathalan, or of pressing you to interfere in its accomplishment;—the object is to keep Mr Dodge’s claims in view, as the Successor, when Mr Cathalan shall think proper to retire; and my enquiry of you was intended to ascertain the fact of Mr Cathalan’s having tendered a conditional resignation, in order to present Mr Dodge’s recommendations to the President, before the competition for the Office should become perplexing by contending interests.

I am aware, Sir, of the services and respectability of Mr Cathalan, and I would not desire any step to be taken disrespectful towards him; and I assure you, that the representations of Commodore Chauncey have not produced an effect to the extent Mr Cathalan may have apprehended.

Permit me to ask your further communication upon the subject, when you shall have received an answer to your letter.

I feel, with due sensibility, the kindness of your expressions towards me and my family, and assure you of my sincere regard, and high consideration.

B W Crowninshield

RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Crowninshield; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Monticello Va”; endorsed by TJ as received 17 Jan. 1818 and so recorded in SJL. FC (DNA: RG 45, ROSN, General Letterbook, 13:148). Enclosed in TJ to Stephen Cathalan, 18 Jan. 1818.

1Word not in FC.

Index Entries

  • Cathalan, Stephen (Étienne) (1757–1819); as consul at Marseille search
  • Chauncey, Isaac; as U.S. Navy commodore search
  • Crowninshield, Benjamin Williams; and J. Dodge search
  • Crowninshield, Benjamin Williams; and S. Cathalan’s proposed resignation search
  • Crowninshield, Benjamin Williams; family of search
  • Crowninshield, Benjamin Williams; letters from search
  • Dodge, Joshua; as consular candidate search
  • Marseille; U.S. consulship at search
  • Monroe, James; and appointments search