To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 4 April 1803
From Albert Gallatin
Treasury Department 4th April 1803
Sir
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from Samuel Hay one of the commissioners for the direct tax in South Carolina. As the assessment is not yet completed in that State, and the principal cause of the delay has been the difficulty of finding gentlemen who would accept the office, the propriety of appointing the gentlemen recommended by Mr Hay is respectfully submitted.
I have the honor to be with great respect Sir Your most obedt. Servt.
Albert Gallatin
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 5 Apr. and “Charles Jones Jenkins to be Commr. Direct tax S.C.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Samuel Hay to Gallatin, Coosawhatchie, South Carolina, 17 Mch. 1803, submitting his resignation as Direct Tax commissioner for the state’s fifth division, noting that his physician has prescribed “a European Voyage as absolutely necessary to the preservation of Life”; he recommends Charles Jones Jenkins, who lives in the neighborhood, is fully qualified, and will accept the position if offered; his appointment will keep the state from “procrastinating the business already too long procrastinated” (Tr in same).
An Adams appointee, samuel hay had served as commissioner since 1798. TJ recorded the appointment of Charles Jones Jenkins in place of Hay at 8 Apr. (see Appendix I). Jenkins’s permanent commission was issued on 18 Nov. after his confirmation by the Senate (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 59, MPTPC; , 1:297, 453, 455). For previous difficulties in finding candidates willing to accept the office of direct tax commissioner in South Carolina, see Vol. 34:136, 543; Vol. 36:625–6; and Vol. 37:189–90.