To Thomas Jefferson from James Garrard, 20 April 1804
From James Garrard
Frankfort April 20th. 1804—
Sir,
It is sometime past since I did myself the honour of addressing you in favor of Mr. Harry Toulmin, the present Secretary of State for Kentucky, soliciting his appointment to some respectable Office in one of the newly erected Territories, either in Louisiana or on the Lakes. At that time I had no expectation of troubling you again on the same subject, for I then said of Mr. Toulmin, what in justice I ought to say of him at all times, that he is a Man of Talents and Integrity, and that he merits public confidence. Mr. Toulmin is preparing to remove either to Louisiana, or to the Mississippi Territory; and as I have just received a Letter from him, stating his particular wish, as well as his hopes, I am induced once more to mention his name to you, as a person worthy to fill some office under the government of the United States, that requires talents and respectability to fill: and that you may be acquainted with Mr. Toulmins particular views I send herewith his Letter directed to me. I am fully persuaded that any confidence which you may be pleased to place in Mr. Toulmin will not be abused, and that the duties of any office you may think proper to confer on him will be discharged with promptness, fidelity and correctness.
Accept Sir, the expressions of my perfect respect,
James Garrard
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Garrard; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson, Esqr. P.U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 May and “Toulmin judge Misipi tery.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Harry Toulmin to Garrard, 19 Apr. from Frankfort, Kentucky, expressing his unwillingness to again trouble the president; but, observing that Congress has made provision for the appointment of an additional judge in Mississippi Territory, he is emboldened to offer himself for the office; Toulmin assumes the remote location of the office may reduce the number of applicants; if Toulmin is unable to secure “any permanent office of importance,” he is willing to accept an appointment to explore the Red and Arkansas Rivers; Toulmin trusts that Garrard will inform the president that he has fulfilled the duties of his current station with fidelity; he notes that even in the worst of times he has been an open advocate of the republican cause (same).
honour of addressing you: Garrard to TJ, 4 Nov. 1803.
Writing to Madison on 1 May, harry toulmin enclosed recommendations from John Breckinridge and Caleb Wallace and conveyed his interest in an appointment as “judge in the Tombigbee settlement.” He also reiterated his earlier willingness to undertake an exploration of Louisiana “if no one more suitable should come forward” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Toulmin Harry to mr Madison to be judge of Tombigby”; see , 7:92-3, 128-9).