From Thomas Jefferson to Dominick A. Hall, 20 July 1804
To Dominick A. Hall
Washington July 20. 04.
Sir
In the arrangements proposed for the new government of the territory of Orleans, to commence on the 1st. of October next, I am desirous of availing the public of your services as District judge of the territory. on turning to the law for that establishment you will see what are it’s duties and emoluments. you will oblige me by giving me as early information as you can whether I may count on your acceptance, as it is important to have that knolege as early as possible. accept my salutations & assurances of great respect.
Th: Jefferson
PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Dominic A. Hall esq.”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “to be judge Distr.”
Dominick Augustin Hall (ca. 1765-1820) was a Charleston, South Carolina, attorney and former state legislator. TJ appointed him chief judge of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court in 1801, but the position was eliminated the following year with the repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801. Hall declined TJ’s offer of a bankruptcy commission in 1802, but accepted the U.S. district judgeship for Orleans Territory in 1804. Except for a brief tenure on the Louisiana state supreme court in 1813, Hall remained on the federal district bench for Orleans, and later Louisiana, until his death (Biographical Directory of the Federal Judiciary, 1789-2000 [Lanham, Md., 2001], 532; ; , 4:256; Vol. 33:332n, 676; Vol. 37:513n; Vol. 43:683, 688n).