To Thomas Jefferson from John Drayton, 22 February 1802
From John Drayton
South Carolina
Charleston Feby 22d: 1802
Sir
I have the honor to inform you, that Edward Croft Eqr., residing in this City, a young Gentleman of the bar, of respectability, is this day appointed and Commissioned, first Commissioner in this State; under the law, for the valuation of lands, houses, &c.: and in pursuance of the confidence, which you thought fit to repose in me.
I have made many fruitless endeavors before this service, could be performed: And Mr. Croft, has taken upon him the duties of the office, from a desire of aiding (as far as he can) the Administration of his Country: the emoluments of the office being too inconsiderable to be a sufficient inducement.
With Sentiments of high consideration I have the honor to be Sir, Yr. Most obt. Sert.
John Drayton
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Eqr President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.; also endorsed by TJ: “Crofts Commr. of Direct tax.”
On 10 Mch., TJ sent the Senate his nomination of Edward Croft as first commissioner of valuations for the Direct Tax in South Carolina, which was approved the following day. Croft was appointed in place of Edward Darrell, who died the previous November. A 16 Nov. 1801 letter from Drayton to TJ informing him of Darrell’s death has not been found, but was recorded in SJL as received 27 Nov. with the notations “Darrel’s death” and “T” (, 1:409; Vol. 33:332n; Vol. 35:756).
The confidence, which you thought fit to repose in me: on 15 July 1801, TJ asked Drayton to locate a suitable person willing to accept the commissioner’s appointment in South Carolina, an unremunerative office which TJ had great difficulty in filling (Vol. 34:136, 543).