Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Anderson and Others, 20 March 1804

From Joseph Anderson and Others

Federal City [20 Mch. 1804]

Sir

We the Undersignd being Sensibly impress’d, with the importance of haveing a proper Character for Governor of Orleans—and believeing it to be our duty, to bring to your View Such a one as we believe will so Conduct—as to promote the best interests of the United States—and possess the Confidence of the Western people whose interests will be Verry greatly concernd therein—and believeing that the person, who shall be appointed to that office—ought to possess in an eminent degree—Zeal and inflexible integrety—perspecuity of mind and Soundness of Judgment—promptitude in decision, in emergent cases—and firmness in their Execution; Such a knowledge of the Human mind, as to Manage its foibles, its follies, and its Vices so as to conciliate them—to Obedience to the Laws; or to punish them With Such discretion, as to leave no cause for murmur—and yet Command Submission—Easy of access to all who may have business to transact—and yet so deport himself—as to preserve the proper dignity of the Office—Such qualities do we Recognize in the Honble Andrew Jackson—now one of the Judges of the Superior Court—and Major General of the State of Tennessee—and do therefore recommend him, as a proper Charecter for that appointment—

with Sentiments of Very high consideration—

Jos: Anderson

Wm Cocke

G: W: Campbell

Wm Dickson

John Rhea

M Lyon

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); undated; in Anderson’s hand, signed by all; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Mch. 1804 and “Jackson Andrew to be Govr. of Louisiana” and so recorded in SJL.

George Washington Campbell (1769-1848), a native of Scotland and a graduate of the College of New Jersey, served in Congress as a representative from Tennessee from 1803 to 1809 and was a reliable ally of TJ’s administration. His later public service included terms as a U.S. senator, secretary of the Treasury, and minister to Russia (ANB description begins John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes, eds., American National Biography, New York and Oxford, 1999, 24 vols. description ends ; J. Jefferson Looney and Ruth L. Woodward, Princetonians, 1791-1794: A Biographical Dictionary [Princeton, 1991], 341-51).

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