Thomas Jefferson Papers
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To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 8 September 1804

From Samuel Smith

Balt. 8. Septr. 1804

Dr. sir/

The Writer of the inclosed letters Mr. Hatch Dent (a Native of Maryland) imigrated last Winter to N. Orleans.—he lived for seven years in this City & is highly estimated by those Citizens to whom he was known—He was highly recommended by Mr James Mc.Culloh (one of our Senators) for the place of Naval Officer or Surveyor—to either of which I knew him (myself) well qualified—But the application came to me, after the period when I Concieved the Officers were Selected—I therefore declined Naming him—Mr. Dent’s Connections are very respectable, his Education Classical, his Conduct thro: life honorable to himself—If a Vacancy should offer at N. Orleans,—permit me to say that the Public will be well served by him.—his politicks are right—

I send the inclosed, as well on Acct. of this Information, as that Such letters will Sometimes Convey information that Cannot be obtained from public Officers—The arrival of Mr. Monroe at N.O—would be highly important—I am Sir/ In truth

your friend & servt.

S Smith

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 11 Sep. and “Dent Hatch. office Orleans” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Hatch Dent to James H. McCulloch, 24 June, on indulging the merchants of the “Western Country” with the privilege of remitting in New Orleans (same). (2) Dent to McCulloch, 14 July, describing a 1 July meeting of Louisiana inhabitants who prepared a memorial to Congress (same).

Hatch Dent became a clerk, justice of the peace, and sheriff in the Rapides District, Orleans Territory (Terr. Papers description begins Clarence E. Carter and John Porter Bloom, eds., The Territorial Papers of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1934-75, 28 vols. description ends , 9:598, 662, 751, 836). James H. McCulloch (Mc.Culloh) served in the Maryland state senate from 1801 to 1805 (RS description begins J. Jefferson Looney and others, eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series, Princeton, 2004- , 15 vols. description ends 10:407-8n).

Rumors continued to circulate in print throughout August and early September that TJ had appointed James Monroe governor of Louisiana although he had already declined the offer. According to Dent in Enclosure No. 1 noted above, Thomas Harman of the New Orleans firm Winter & Harman reported a conversation in which Monroe expected to come to their city (Albany Centinel, 10 Aug.; Maryland Herald, and Hager’s-Town Weekly Advertiser, 15 Aug.; Monroe to TJ, 15 Mch.; TJ to Benjamin Rush, 8 Aug.).

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