To James Madison from Paul Hamilton, 8 December 1809
From Paul Hamilton
Navy Dept. 8 Decr. 1809
Sir,
Docr. Fraser of South Carolina,1 whom I take the liberty of mentioning to you for nomination to the Senate as Surgeon in the Navy, is personally known to me, as a gentleman of great professional merit—& his services are now required at Charleston S. C. I have the honor to be with great respect sir yr mo obt.
Paul Hamilton
RC (DLC); letterbook copy (DNA: RG 45, LSP). RC in Goldsborough’s hand, signed by Hamilton; docketed by JM.
1. JM nominated Alexander Fraser to be a naval surgeon on 12 Dec., and the appointment was confirmed two days later. Fraser was probably the son of Alexander and Mary Grimké Fraser, prominent Charlestonians ( , 2:129–30; Walter B. Edgar et al., eds., Biographical Directory of the South Carolina House of Representatives [3 vols. to date; Columbia, S.C., 1974—], 2:255).