Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 19 August 1802

From Albert Gallatin

Treasury Department August 19th. 1802.

The Secretary of the Treasury, respectfully represents to the President of the United States, that Joshua Head, collector of customs for the port of Waldoborough (Massachusetts) has failed in rendering his quarterly accounts, none later than those for the quarter ending on the 30th september, last, having been received: nor has he, from that time, rendered any weekly, or other return, whatever, of the monies received and paid by him. A letter, a copy of which is hereunto annexed, was, on the 21st. June last, written to him on that subject, to which no answer has been received. Under those circumstances, it becomes the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury, to submit to the President, the propriety of removing that officer from his employment.

Respectfully submitted by his very obdt. Servant

Albert Gallatin

RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Gallatin; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 22 Aug. and so recorded in SJL with notation “Head Collr. Waldoboro”; also endorsed by TJ: “Joshua Head. Collector of Waldoborough (Mass) for delinquency.” Enclosure: Gallatin to Joshua Head, 21 June 1802 (see note to Memorandum from the Treasury Department, 20 June 1802).

President Adams appointed JOSHUA HEAD collector at Waldoborough in March 1799. On his lists, TJ noted that Head was removed for being “delinquent” (JEP description begins Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States . . . to the Termination of the Nineteenth Congress, Washington, D.C., 1828, 3 vols. description ends , 1:321; Vol. 33:673; Appendix I).

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