To James Madison from John Myers, 2 May 1827
From John Myers
Washington May 2d. 1827
Dear Sir,
I believe you know both personally, & by reputation, my father Moses Myers esqr of Norfolk,1 who is put in nomination by his friends for the office of Collector of that port, now vacant. He has never asked his government for an office, during a long life of activity, & many public services & acts of patriotism. Now retired from business, & not in easy circumstances, this trust is asked. It is one of very moderate emolument indeed, but it is respectable, & suited to his moral habits, & mercantile experience. It is a maxim with me not to ask, what cannot with perfect propriety be granted. May I solicit from you a few lines in his behalf to the Secretary of the Treasury, or president?
The only excuse I can offer for this freedom, is the little acquaintance you have of me while Aid-de-Camp to General Taylor during the late War. Upon that remembrance likewise I beg to be most respectfully presented to Mrs. M. With great respect
Jno. Myers2
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Moses Myers (ca. 1752–1835), a Norfolk merchant, served in the Virginia militia and as president of the city’s Common Council. He declined a Jefferson administration appointment as commissioner of bankruptcy in 1802. Myers was appointed collector of Norfolk and Portsmouth in 1827 but was removed in 1830 for embezzling funds, an accusation that proved untrue (Joseph R. Rosenbloom, A Biographical Dictionary of Early American Jews: Colonial Times through 1800 [(Lexington, Ky.), 1960], 128; Myers to JM, 26 July 1802, , 3:430; Richmond Enquirer, 5 June 1827; Baltimore Patriot & Mercantile Advertiser, 26 Mar. 1830; Rhode Island American, Statesman and Providence Gazette, 14 May 1830).
2. John Myers (1787–1830) was a Norfolk merchant. He served as aide-de-camp to Gen. Robert B. Taylor, the commander of U.S. forces at Norfolk during the War of 1812, and as deputy collector of customs at Norfolk from 1828 until his death (Rosenbloom, A Biographical Dictionary of Early American Jews, 126; Baltimore Patriot & Evening Advertiser, 23 Sept. 1813).