James Madison Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/03-11-02-0770

To James Madison from Robert Polk, 3 March 1817

From Robert Polk

Washington, March 3. 1817.

Sir,

In doing myself the honor of addressing you on the present occasion, permit me to say that it is not without reluctance I have prevailed upon myself to add one to the number of those who may appear before you as Candidates for a portion of Executive favor. But relying on the liberality of your disposition for indulgence, I take the freedom to address you.

A bill, providing for the prompt settlement of public accounts, having (as I understand) passed both Houses of Congress, by which the office of Solicitor of the Treasury is, among others, established, I would, in the event of your approbation of the bill, respectfully present myself as a Candidate for that office. As a motive for this step, I beg leave to state that the duties of that station are familiar to me. When a Clerk, some years ago, in the office of the Comptroller, the superintendence of Suits against public debtors, & the correspondence with the District Attorneys, were assigned to me among other duties; and the records of that office will show how they were discharged. About three years since, I was appointed principal Clerk in the office of the Commr. of the Revenue, which station I still hold—but the knowledge previously acquired of the laws, & the proceedings consequent thereon, would, I conceive, render me competent to fill the station of Solicitor of the Treasury. May I, therefore, Sir, respectfully beg the favor of your recommendation of me to Col. Monroe, (by whom, I presume the appointment will be made) as a suitable person for that office?

It is needless for me to enlarge on this subject—if testimonials to my character & pretensions are wanting, they may be obtained from the different officers of government under whom I have served—but they are known to and can be fully appreciated by you. Permit me only to say that after a long training to the public service in various subordinate stations, I may lay claim to the advancement without hazard of incurring the charge of presumption. I have been long enough in the dependent condition of a Clerk to wish for some amelioration of my views and prospects, respecting which Nature & Fortune do not seem yet to be reconciled. And to you, Sir, who possess so many titles to the veneration of your country, allow me to look as the friend & patron “of one to fortune & to fame unknown.”1 On your decision it depends, probably, whether I shall be raised to respectability & comfort, or pine in indigence and obscurity with a growing family & a narrow income, and with the prospect even of this scanty income being taken away by the abolition of the system of Internal taxation.

A severe indisposition (which has confined me for two weeks past to my chamber & from which I am but slowly recovering) precludes me from the honor of paying my respects to you in person. Be pleased, Sir, to accept the sentiments of profound respect with which I have the honor to be Your Obt. Servt.

Robert Polk.

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1809–17, filed under “Polk”). Docketed by James Monroe.

1“A Youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown” from the Epitaph of Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Church Yard, 3rd ed. (London, 1751), 11.

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