To Thomas Jefferson from David Austin, 14 September 1801
From David Austin
Washington Sepr. 14th. 1801—
Respected Sir/
Will you forgive a second address on the subject of the place left by Mr Meredith? —
The considerations, by which this application is supported, are
| 1. | The openings of providence in favor of the General Objects of my many addresses— |
| 2. | No Injury will be done to any man should the President comply with this request.— |
| 3. | No man can bring more intrinsic worth into the Councils of the Presidt. |
| 4. | It will aid to favor the Impression, that the Executive is not unfriendly to things tinged with Moral rectitude. |
| 5— | The duties of the Office are easy; & I will presume to say, will be punctually & faithfully discharged.— |
| 6.— | The emoluments of the Office would mightily relieve many good Citizens of the City, from the burthen of Gospel service: & they would accept this Office as a bequest from the President in this view.— |
| 7. | The Book keeper of the Department is of my acquaintance; I have passed my eye carelessly through the rotine of Official duty, & nothing would please me more, than the Presidents Authority to enter upon its course— |
| 8— | I have a degree of influence over the Editors of the Washington Federalist; & think I could easily bring them, fully, to accord with the subsequent proceedings of Government; & thereby add one wheel more to the Machine of National Influence.— |
Submitting, with all Cheerfulness to the Presidts. decision, subscribe with all esteem—
D: Austin
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 24 Sep. and so recorded in SJL.
Second address: Austin first wrote TJ on the subject of the treasurer’s office on 12 Sep., suggesting that “all former petitions” for office would be “buried” if he were made Samuel Meredith’s successor. Austin added that “if there be any thing of moment in the general strain of former communications worthy of notice; or even any thing likely to arise, from wh. the President might make selections useful in the managment of the National Ship, would it not be useful to preserve this gift, to be had, in this view, without Expense?” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; addressed: “His Ex’y Th: Jefferson Esqr Pres: U:States Monticello”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 17 Sep. and so recorded in SJL with notation “Off”).
Beginning with the 9 Sep. 1801 issue, William A. Rind and Charles Prentiss served as editors of the washington federalist (, 1:95–6).