To Thomas Jefferson from Josiah Hook, 24 December 1801
From Josiah Hook
Collector’s Office
Castine Decem 24 1801
Sir
I do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of my commissions from your Exelency.
I feel the weight of obligation which your good opinion has laid on me, and desire you to accept of my most hearty and sincere thanks for the trust and confidence that you have seen fit to place in me—
It shall be my greatest study to fulfil the duty of my office with fidelity and correctness, and in such a manner as I hope will meet the approbation of your Exelency.—
Sir I have the honor to be with consideration your obedient humble servent
Josiah Hook
RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esquire”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.
TJ appointed Josiah Hook (d. 1827) inspector and collector at Penobscot in Maine on 14 Nov., after his first choice, Benjamin Jarvis, declined the appointment. Hook had been recommended to TJ by Henry Dearborn, who described Hook as a young man of unblemished character and “a sound Republican.” He retained the Penobscot collectorship until his death (Essex Register, 9 Apr. 1827; Vol. 33:673, 677; Dearborn to TJ, 1 Sep. 1801).