To James Madison from George Read, 2 April 1812 (Abstract)
§ From George Read1
2 April 1812, Newcastle. Informs JM of the death of the district court judge, Gunning Bedford, on Monday last. Alludes to Bedford’s lengthy illness and its adverse effect on the performance of his duties. Advises that the post be filled speedily and states that he is ready to serve in any public capacity as he has turned over much of his business to his son, George Read, Jr.2
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1809–17, filed under “Read”). 2 pp.
1. George Read had been appointed U.S. attorney for Delaware in September 1789. He was to write again to JM on the vacant district judgeship after hearing that “certain persons” in Delaware had solicited the appointment. Mentioning the fact that he had held the office of district attorney “since the organization of the government,” Read told the president that were he to be “passed over in the regular grade of promotion, by the advancement of another … who is much younger & inferior in point of standing at the bar,” he would consider it as “a slight” (, 1:29, 31; Read to JM, 17 Apr. 1812 [PHi; 1 p.]).
2. On 4 Apr. 1812 George Read, Jr., wrote to JM seeking the post of U.S. attorney should his father resign it (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1809–17, filed under “Read”).