To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 9 April 1802
From Henry Dearborn
War Department 9th. April 1802.
Sir,
The following gentleman are proposed to your consideration, as Candidates for military Agencies: (viz)
For the Northern Department Peter Gansevoort, of Albany.
For the middle Department William Linnard of Philadelphia.
For the Southern Department Abraham D.1 Abrahams of Savannah.
I have the honor to be, Sir, with high consideration, Yr. Obt.
Servant
H. Dearborn
RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn, with an alteration by TJ (see note below); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 10 Apr. and “Nominations. Peter Gansevoort &c” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP).
Sometime after writing this letter, Dearborn sent an undated communication to TJ: “Sir I am now informed by Genl Jackson that Mr. Abrahams, proposed for a Military Agent in Georgia, is Abraham D. Abrahams, and not Joseph Abrahams. with due respects I am Sir Your Humbl. Servt” (RC in DLC; in a clerk’s hand; signed by Dearborn; addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department in Apr. 1802 and “Nominn. Abrahams”).
The Military Peace Establishment Act provided for the creation of the MILITARY AGENCIES, which replaced the quartermaster’s department. The agents were responsible for obtaining and transporting military stores, hospital supplies for the army, and goods for Indian annuities. An army officer at each post would act as assistant military agent ( , 2:133, 136; Dearborn to Gansevoort, to Linnard, and to Abrahams, 5 May 1802, Dearborn to assistant military agents, 6 May, in DNA: RG 107, LSMA).
TJ nominated the three candidates on 27 Apr., the Senate approved them on the 29th, and their appointments as military agents dated from that day. PETER GANSEVOORT was an officer of New York troops during the American Revolution. In 1777, he received a resolution of thanks from Congress for his defense of Fort Schuyler. William linnard later served a number of years as a quartermaster officer. Abraham David ABRAHAMS was the military agent for the southern department until 1809 ( , 1:422–3; , 1:150, 444, 634; , s.v. “Gansevoort, Peter”; TJ to the Senate, 27 Apr. 1802).
1. First name and initial interlined by TJ in place of “Joseph.”