To John Adams from Jonathan Mason, 9 February 1801
Washington feby. 9 1801
Sir
It being presumed that the bill for the amendment of the Judiciary System will by your approbation become a law, & you having intimated to some of us a wish to ascertain the sentiments of gentlemen in relation to persons qualified for promotion to the office of Judge. We therefore beg leave respectfully [to re]commend John Lowell Esquire for the appointment of Cheif Justice of the first Circuit, consisting of New Hampshire, Massachusetts & Rhode island. And if the State of Massachusetts should be entitled to two Judges, which considering the circumstances extent & population of the Province of Maine we flatter ourselves will be the case, we also recommend David Sewall Esquire for one of the associate Judges of the same Circuit—
We have the honor to be with the highest respect / Sir, / yr most obedt. servts:—
Jona Mason
Wm. Shepard
Geo. Thatcher
Silas Lee
P. Wadsworth
John Reed
Leml. Williams
Bailey Bartlett
Nathan Read
Theodore Sedgwick
MHi: Adams Papers.