To Thomas Jefferson from DeWitt Clinton, 3 May 1802
From DeWitt Clinton
Washington 3 May 1802
Sir
I had the honor of mentioning to you Yesterday, the expediency of postponing the appointment of Commissioners of Bankruptcy for New York, until more accurate information can be obtained: This shall engage my early attention on my arrival at that place.
I am the more confirmed in the prudence of this plan, from information that various candidates have either applied or been recommended, who in my opinion ought not to be favored in this way—Such as Comfort Sands and John Blagge late Bankrupts—James Fairlie and William Cutting who hold lucrative offices under the State Govt. And who notwithstanding their being men of fair reputations, ought not to be permitted to engross too much.—Joseph Brown, William P. Van Ness & Timothy Greene, active engines of a faction hostile to the administration and whom emoluments of this kind will not soften but enable the more to carry on their schemes.—
I am with the most respectful attachment Your most Obedt servt
Dewitt Clinton
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The Presdt. of U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 May and “Commrs. of bkrptcy” and so recorded in SJL.
TJ appointed JAMES FAIRLIE, clerk of the New York Supreme Court, to serve as a bankruptcy commissioner in New York City. He was recommended by Samuel L. Mitchill and Brockholst Livingston (, 18:20n; Longworth’s American Almanac, New-York Register, and City Directory, for the Twenty-Sixth Year of American Independence [New York, 1801], 166; , Sec. of State Ser., 3:321; Appendix II, Lists 1 and 2).
Brockholst Livingston wrote Madison on 13 Apr. recommending New York attorney WILLIAM CUTTING as a commissioner. He was not appointed (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Wm. Cutting of N.Y. to be Commr. bkrptcy”; , Sec. of State Ser., 3:127; National Intelligencer, 18 June 1802; Appendix II, List 1).