To Thomas Jefferson from John M. Pintard, 8 December 1804
From John M. Pintard
Alexandria 8th December 1804
Sir
From a conversation that Passed at your Table a few days Since where I had the Honor of dining; If I understood you correctly, you Intimated, that Some dificulty had arrisen in the Selecting persons properly qualified to fill the differrent offices at New Orleans. Under this Impression I beg Leave to mention to you that My Kindsman Mr John Pintard of New York has been Long anxious to Settle in that country, and on Enquiry I feel confident that you will find him fully competent to execute the duties of any office under the Government there; He was formerly Interpreter to Congress of the French Language and I beleive executed that office Some time after You were at the Head of the department of State. He has been at New Orleans and posseses a very extensive Information of that Country. His character and tallents are well Known to Genl Wilkinson, doctor Mitchell, and the present Mayor of the city of New York to which Gentn. I Beg leave to Refer you for any Information you may wish Respecting him. I beg leave to apologise to you for this Intrusion on your time and have the Honor to be with great Respect
Sir Your most obedt and very Humble Servant
John M Pintard
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States.”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 Dec. and “J. Pintard for office at N.O.” and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “a federalist.”
few days Since: John M. Pintard, a New York merchant and the former consul at Madeira, dined with TJ on 5 Dec. (Vol. 39:438n; Appendix II).
Mayor: DeWitt Clinton.
In a letter of 14 Dec. transmitted to TJ, Claudius Magnan, a Saint-Domingue immigrant living in Augusta, Georgia, wrote Abraham Baldwin to apply for a position as interpreter in Louisiana (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Magnan Claudius, Georgia. Fr. translatr. Orleans”; New York Commercial Advertiser, 5 Dec. 1810).