From James Madison to William Jones, 12 January 1813
To William Jones
Washington Jany. 12. 1813
Sir
The inclosed commission will inform you of your appointment to be Secretary of the Navy.1 I hope it will not be incompatible with your views, to aid the public, especially at the present conjuncture, with your valuable talents; and that you will be able, without delay, to enter on the important duties of the Department committed to you; no temporary provision having been made for the vacancy produced by the resignation of Mr. Hamilton. Accept assurances of my great esteem & friendly respects.
James Madison
RC (PHi: William Jones Papers).
1. Enclosure not found, but a photocopy of Jones’s commission, dated 12 Jan. 1813 and signed by JM and Monroe, may be found in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (ibid.). JM had already nominated Jones on 8 Jan. 1813 ( , 2:315).