Having received the commission of attorney general of the United states which you have been pleased to confer upon me, I have the honor to signify, respectfully, my acceptance of it.

Amidst the sensibilities I feel at so signal a mark of confidence at your hands I can only say, that I am enabled to sustain the sense of responsibility it implies by nothing else than a consciousness of the good intentions, and diligence, which I humbly hope will be my guides in performing the duties of the post. I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, your obt. servant