To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Nones, 18 July 1802
From Benjamin Nones
Philadelphia 18 July 1802
Sir,
I have already had the Honor to address you in two former Instances.
The Death of Mr. Van Cleve of this City, who is said to have died of the Epidemic, at present unfortunately prevailing here, it is presumed will occasion a vacancy in the Board of Commissioners of Bankruptcy.
I hope your Excellency will excuse the liberty I take of again addressing you, and thus offering my Application for an Appointment to fill the same.
Permit me to refer you to my former Letters and the Recommendations therein contain’d, which I hope will be deemed fully satisfactory, as likewise for the motives which have more particularly induced me to make my Applications to your Excellency.
With Sentiments of the Highest Respect and Esteem, I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Mo: ob: hb: Servt.
Benj Nones
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 20 July and “to be Commr. bkrptcy” and so recorded in SJL.
TWO FORMER INSTANCES: Nones to TJ, 18 Mch. and 11 Nov. 1801.
EPIDEMIC: Philadelphia was experiencing an outbreak of yellow fever, which was largely confined to the vicinity of the Vine Street wharf. On 22 July, the city board of health declared that the fever had “entirely subsided” (Gazette of the United States, 17, 20, and 22 July 1802; William Currie and Isaac Cathrall, Facts and Observations, Relative to the Origin, Progress and Nature of the Fever, which Prevailed in Certain Parts of the City and Districts of Philadelphia, In the Summer and Autumn of the Present Year, (1802) [Philadelphia, 1802]).