To Thomas Jefferson from Pierce Butler, 11 October 1803
From Pierce Butler
Philada. October 11. 1803—
Dear Sir
The inclosed letter was put into my hand to deliver in person, which I intended doing; but learning that an application wou’d be made to You by a second person for the same post; sooner than I may reach the Federal City, I have preferd sending by Post—
I have been so unsuccessful in two or three recommendations I offerd to Yourself and the Secretay of State, that I shall limit myself on the present occasion, to observing, that if the place was such as to require the approbation of Senate, Mr. McClennigan woud have my Vote. I have cause to believe he wou’d have the Votes of the two Senators from Pennsylvania—
I have the honor to be with great consideration Yr Most Obedient
P. Butler
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 13 Oct. and “Mc.lanahan Blair to be Commr. bkrptcy” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Blair McClenachan to TJ, 10 Oct.
deliver in person: the South Carolina legislature appointed Butler to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by John Ewing Colhoun. Butler produced his credentials and was sworn in on 18 Oct. (, 3:299). Butler’s recent recommendations included support for John M. Pintard and Thomas Fitzpatrick (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 4:176; Vol. 39:438n; Vol. 40:250)
two senators from pennsylvania: George Logan and Samuel Maclay ().