TJ had been considering these candidates since July, when he consulted with Gallatin about them. Although it is uncertain when the president compiled the list printed above, he likely did so in conjunction with issuing temporary commissions. On 5 Oct. he added the last four names on this list to a request for commissions from the State Department, perhaps later inserting check marks after signing the completed commissions. On the 12th, TJ requested a commission for Nathaniel Ewing (Ewen), the first candidate on the list (Terr. Papers description begins Clarence E. Carter and John Porter Bloom, eds., The Territorial Papers of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1934-75, 28 vols. description ends , 7:222-3, 226; Notes on Appointments, printed at 30 Aug.; TJ to the State Department, 4 Oct.).