From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 26 June 1802
To James Monroe
Washington June 26. 1802.
TH:J. TO J. Monroe.
We are waiting for your recommendation of Commissioners of bankruptcy for Norfolk. Moses Myers & Richd. Evers Lee have been proposed by some. mr Arthur Lee has been thought of. say frankly if any of them are proper or improper. Littleton W. Tazewell if he would accept would make an excellent one: but I believe he lives in or near Williamsburg.—I propose to be at Monticello during Aug. and September, & shall hope you will take the same recess. affectionate salutations.
| Henry Hiort. Atty |  |
were the former commissioners. if republican & otherwise equal, possession would add to their title. but hitherto it is has been so taken for granted that the former appointments were federal, that no enquiry has been made respecting them. | |||
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RC (Alfred M. Colby, Mansfield, Ohio, 1946). PrC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso; also endorsed by TJ: “Commrs. bkrptcy Norfolk.”
In September 1801, Monroe had written TJ about ARTHUR LEE, the son of Richard Evers Lee, describing him as a republican and “a young man of merit” (Vol. 35:354–5).
Moses Myers, Richard Evers Lee, and Littleton W. Tazewell all received appointments as commissioners of bankruptcy for Norfolk. Myers and Tazewell declined their commissions, however, while Lee resigned his in October 1803 (Appendix II, List 2; , Sec. of State Ser., 3:417, 430; 5:587–8).