To James Madison from Henry Bell, 9 April 1799
From Henry Bell
9th April 1799.
Dear Sir
I am informd that the Governor and Council are about to appoint some person as Superintendant of the State Arsenals,1 if so I shall offer as a Candidate—and as Ive not the pleasure of being acquainted wh. the Governor and but [few] of the Council—must be dependant on my friends for Letters of recommendation: so that if you think me worthy of the appointment will thank you for a line on the Occasion. And shoud I be so fortunate as to get the appointment I flatter myself I shall execute the duty wh. Honor to myself And Satisfaction to those [to whom] I shall be responsible. Your answer will greatly oblige Yrs. Sincerely &c.
Henry Bell2
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM. Words in brackets omitted by Bell; supplied from similar sentences in Bell’s letter of application to Gov. James Wood, 3 Apr. 1799 (Vi: Executive Papers).
1. The appointment as superintendent of the state arsenal at Point of Fork, Virginia, went to Robert Quarles ( , 9:34).
2. Capt. Henry Bell of Madison County was an officer in the Third Continental Dragoons during the Revolutionary War (Heitman, Historical Register Continental, p. 82; George C. Taylor to James Wood, Feb. 1799, and Philip Slaughter to James Wood, 29 Mar. 1799 [Vi: Executive Papers]).