To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 5 October 1804
From Albert Gallatin
Washington 5 Oct. 1804—
Dear Sir
I enclose a petition directed to you which was given to me this morning by an old man, now at my house, who has walked from the vicinity of Pittsburg to the seat of Government in order to try to obtain the discharge of a son who whilst from home enlisted in the army and is very desirous to return and assist in supporting his father and family. The petition is signed by the most respectable of our friends at Pittsburgh (Irish, Ewalt, Baldwin &c.) and even by some of the federalists: I have no doubt, therefore, of his story, services &c being true. The difficulty is, supposing the discharge should be granted, whether it can be done during Gen. Dearborn’s absence; and it is hard that he who is poor should be obliged to wait an indefinite time. I beg, at all events, that you will have the goodness to communicate your decision to me.
With greatest respect Your obedt. Servt.
Albert Gallatin
The son is at Carlisle in Capn. McClellan’s company—
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 5 Oct. and “petn to discharge a souldier” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below.
In a letter of 9 Oct., Dearborn informed John McClallen of David H. Bryon’s application for the discharge of his son, John Bryon, and explained that the age, former services, and decrepitude of the father had induced Dearborn to allow the request. Dearborn instructed McClallen to write to the commanding officer at Carlisle for Bryon’s immediate release from duty, with additional instructions to retrieve “the public clothing which he has received” and any expenses related to his enlistment, including the paid bounty (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSMA).