James Madison Papers
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To James Madison from Jacob Broom, 16 April 1789

From Jacob Broom

Wilmington April 16. 1789.

Sir,

I congratulate you upon the success of that inestimable Constitution which I had the honor to witness your support and approbation of; and it is with pleasure I find you are entitled to a share in the deliberations consequent of it’s adoption.

I take the liberty, Sir, to solicit the favor of your interest to the appointment of a Collector of Duties and Imposts; this being the only Commercial Town within the State; it will no doubt be considered as the proper place for the residence of such an Officer.

You may be assured, Sir, I could have procured a very general recommendation, but as I had the honor to be one of the Deputies to the Fœderal Convention, and am presently a Member of Assembly (a seat wc. I have filled for several years) I flatter myself you will consider those situations as marks of the confidence of my Fellow Citizens, as well as favorable and sufficient testimonials of my character and capacity: it is true no power of appointing to office is vested in the House of Representatives; nevertheless I have so much confidence in your friendship, that if you conceive I merit such an appointment your interest with His Excellency & the Senators from your State, more especially, will not be wanting.

If I should be so fortunate as to succeed in obtaining your favor in this business, I shall ever hold it in grateful remembrance.

I have the Honor to be, Sir, With the greatest respect & esteem Your most Obedt. and most Humble Servant.

Jaco: Broom

P. S. As I have not the Honor of being personally acquainted with the Gentlemen, Senators from Virginia, I hope you and they will be pleased to excuse my application to them in this way. A letter is now at New York for his Excellency.1

J. B.

RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.

1Broom to Washington, 3 Apr. 1789 (DLC: Washington Papers). Broom failed to obtain the collectorship, but served as postmaster of Wilmington, 1790–1792 (Henry C. Conrad, History of the State of Delaware: From the Earliest Settlements to the Year 1907 [3 vols.; Wilmington, 1908], I, 303).

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