The inclosed presents one of those cases which it is not in my power to refuse being the channel of communicating. the writer is the son of a very early and intimate friend & fellow-student, to whom, were he living, I ought to refuse nothing. of the writer personally I never heard any thing, nor ever saw him: but I think he must be personally known to mr Nelson & mr Basset, two of our representatives in Congress. I have moreover written to him to advise his sending on to you certificates of character. should I be the means of adding to your list of candidates one of as much worth as was his father, I shall have the double pleasure of rendering service to a friend & to the public. Accept the assurance of my esteem & respect.

Th: Jefferson