To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Clay, 17 May 1804
From Joseph Clay
Philadelphia 17th. May 1804
Sir
I took the liberty when I was at the City of Washington, of recommending as a fit person for a commercial agency, Mr. John D. Lewis Son to the Marshall of the District of Delaware. Mr. Lewis will deliver you this letter. His present wish is to be appointed Commercial Agent at Martinique. The present situation of mercantile affairs seems to render an appointment of an agent at that Island necessary. Of Mr. Lewis I can assure you, that he he is an upright Republican and a man of unblemished integrity. His acquaintance with Commerce is extensive and practical; and a residence of more than two years in different parts of the West India Islands has peculiarly fitted him for the appointment which I now beg leave to solicit for him. Should it be thought necessary for any tistimony respecting Mr. Lewis’s qualifications as a merchant I have no doubt but recommendations would be chearfully given by all the respectable commercial Men in this City.
I am, Sir With the sincerest respect Your humble Servant
Joseph Clay
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 May and “Lewis John D. to be Commercl. Agent Martinque” and so recorded in SJL.
the marshall: Joel Lewis of New Castle County (Vol. 34:578).
appointment of an agent: TJ had last commissioned a commercial agent at Martinique (Martinico) in 1802 (, 8:499-500; Vol. 37:18n).
John D. Lewis had previously been recommended by his brother-in-law, Dr. John Vaughan of Wilmington, Delaware, to be consul at Havana. On 31 Oct. 1803, Vaughan sent his recommendation to George Logan, writing that Lewis, who was at that time in Trinidad on business, had been “bred to mercantile affairs.” He also noted Clay’s personal acquaintance with the candidate (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Lewis John D. to be Consul at Havanna 1803”).