To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 30 May 1802
From James Monroe
Richmond May 30. 1802
Dear Sir
I annex a note of persons qualified for the office of comrs. under the bankrupt law, for the places to wh. they are affixed. It is thought it will be better to appoint comrs. at Petersbg. separately from those at this place. Of Norfolk I can say nothing as yet, but expect to be able to do it in a few days. I was requested by Colo. Lambert sometime since to give him a letter to you wh. I did to day. I informed him at the time I gave it him, that I shod. send in other names (without mentioning at whose request) observing to do justice to the pretentions of every one. He is neither Lawyer nor merchant. Sincerely I am yr. friend
Jas. Monroe
It is possible that George Hay may act; of this I know nothing but will have him sounded & write you by the next post
| Richmond | |
| William Duvall. Lawyer. | Richmd. |
| George W. Smith — L. | R. |
| Benjamin Hatcher Mercht. | Manchester |
| Jacob I. Cohen, late mercht., | R. a jew & foreigr. but very worthy character— |
| Joseph Gallego, mercht. | R. foregnr. but also very respectable |
| Micajah Davis, quaker Mercht. | R. in the comn. line |
| Saml. Pleasants, printer | R. |
| James Lowndes, quaker, Either of the five last named will supply the fourth place— Petersburg— | R. |
| Archibald Thweatt | Lawyer |
| Thos. Bolling Robertson. | L |
| John McRae | Merch: |
| Thomas Burchett— | merch: |
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); list of recommendations on separate sheet; endorsed by TJ as received 2 June and “Commrs. bkrptcy Richmd. Petsbg.” and so recorded in SJL.
On 18 June, the National Intelligencer reported that George HAY, William DuVal (DUVALL), George W. SMITH, Benjamin HATCHER, Archibald THWEATT, Thomas Bolling ROBERTSON, John MCRAE, and Thomas BURCHETT had been appointed bankruptcy commissioners for Virginia. The appointment of Burchett, however, may have been an error. In the letterbook copies of bankruptcy commissions, the name of the final Virginia commissioner was altered to read “Robert Birchett” (list of commissions, in Lb in DNA: RG 59, MPTPC; Appendix II, List 2).