To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Dayton and Aaron Ogden, 6 March 1801
From Jonathan Dayton and Aaron Ogden
Washington March 6th. 1801
Sir,
The Judges of the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey, informed of Mr. Stockton’s resignation of the office of the U. States Attorney for that district, have drawn up & unanimously signed the enclosed certificate in favor of Isaac H. Williamson Esq. with the hope that it might promote his nomination to fill the vacancy. Prior to it’s rect. the late President had nominated Mr. Frelinghuysen, who has since been approved by the Senate. As however it is not probable that this gentleman will accept, & as it has been expected & requested that we should address to the Chief Magistrate, this certificate in behalf of Mr. Williamson, we now take the liberty of doing it, & at the same time sir, of assuring you, that we join most fully in the recommendation of the Honorable bench of Justices, & shall feel very much gratified if it should prove successful.
FC (MiU-C: Jonathan Dayton Papers); in Dayton’s hand; endorsed by Dayton: “From Jona: Dayton & Aaron Ogden to President Jefferson in favor of Isaac Williamson for District Atty.” Recorded in SJL as received 7 Mch. from “Dayton & Ogden.” Enclosure: Certificate from James Kinsey, Isaac Smith, Andrew Kirkpatrick, and Elisha Boudinot, justices of the New Jersey supreme court, at Trenton, dated 25 Feb. 1801, recommending Isaac H. Williamson, a New Jersey attorney, as “a young gentleman one of the first in reputation & standing at the bar, and of irreproachable private character” (FC in same; in Dayton’s hand).
Both Federalists from New Jersey, Jonathan Dayton served in the Senate from 4 Mch. 1799 to 3 Mch. 1805 and Aaron Ogden from 28 Feb. 1801 to 3 Mch. 1803 (). For the appointment of George Maxwell as U.S. Attorney for the New Jersey district, see Notes on New Jersey Patronage, printed at 5 Mch.