From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Harrison Smith, 25 October 1801
To Samuel Harrison Smith
Oct. 25. 1801.
Th: Jefferson omitted to observe to mr Smith yesterday on the subject of mr Barton that as to the offices of the general governmt. Pensylva. Maryld. & Virga. are so overcharged, that, on a principle of distribution, no office1 respecting the union generally can be given in those states till something more of an equilibrium has been obtained. offices exerciseable within a state are always filled within the state. mr Smith is at liberty to repeat this observation to mr Barton as it may be satisfactory to him.
RC (DLC: J. Henley Smith Papers); addressed: “Mr. Samuel H. Smith Washington”; endorsed by Smith with notation in his hand: “the substance of wch. communicated to Mr. Barton Oct. 27. 1801.”
1. TJ here canceled “of that.”