To James Madison from Charles W. Goldsborough, 8 May 1809
From Charles W. Goldsborough
Navy Dept 8 May 1809
Sir,
In answer to Mr. Macgregor’s letter to you1—I have informed him that there is not, at this time, any vacancy.
The case of the son2 of W. G Anderson was attended to a few days since. The son is prodigiously clever—but unhappily for him, by severe exposure in gun boats, he has nearly lost the use of his limbs. I have, in consideration of his merit & sufferings, attached him to the Norfolk station, and directed the commanding Officer to grant to him every reasonable indulgence. With great respect
Ch: W: Goldsborough
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Letter not found. In his letter to JM of 25 Jan. 1810 requesting a consulship, John MacGregor, formerly state auctioneer in Philadelphia, mentioned that he had previously written “last Summer” (DNA: RG 59, Letters of Application, 1809–17).
2. Walter G. Anderson was appointed a midshipman in 1803 and promoted to lieutenant in 1814 (Edward W. Callahan, List of Officers of the Navy of the United States and of the Marine Corps from 1775 to 1900 [New York, 1901], p. 25; , 10:280).