To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 3 January 1805
From Albert Gallatin
[3 Jan. 1805]
Names of persons for Atty. General
Russel of Rhode Island—unknown
Brokholst Livingston of New York—would not accept
M. Dickerson of Philada.—not equal
Rodney. M.C. of Delaware—do.
Gabriel Duvall of Maryland—Quere, whether he would not accept, in which case Joseph Clay might be made Comptroller
Walter Jones of Columbia—of Virginia
J. T. Mason of do—the best, if he will accept
Breckenridge of Kentucky—very good if he will accept
I am so little acquainted with the characters &ca. of professional Gentlemen who have not been in public life that it is not practicable for me to make a good list—I will, however, make some further enquiries principally to know whether there are any republican prominent characters in Pennsylvania.
Respectfully your obedt. Sert.
Albert Gallatin
RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Jan. 1805 and “Atty. Genl.” and so recorded in SJL.
For an earlier discussion of Mahlon Dickerson for the position of attorney general, see TJ to Gallatin, 3 Aug., TJ to Madison, 3 Aug., and Gallatin to TJ, 20 Aug. 1804.
Rodney. M.C.: that is, Caesar A. Rodney, member of Congress from Delaware.