To Thomas Jefferson from Gideon Granger, 24 January 1804
From Gideon Granger
Jan: 24. 1804—
G Granger presents his Compliments to the President—he returns Mr. Eppes letter—Joseph Jones Esq is P.M. at Petersburg.—
He is fearfull that the line of Intelligence from Fort Adams to New Orleans will stop on the first of next month and as he has no Authority to act on the Subject he has suggested it that the President (if he sees proper) may direct Govr Claiborne to continue the line untill provision shall be made by1 law for a regular Mail.—
He incloses a Letter fm W Judd Esq & takes the liberty to remind the President that Perpoint Edwards considers himself a Candidate for the Office of Commissioner under the Spanish Convention lately ratified or rather by the Senate advised, to be, ratified.—
he wishes this representation to be considered as strictly limited to the fact as he feels the impropriety of even an intimation of an opinion in favor of his friend.—
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 23 Jan. and “Edwards Pierpoint. to be Commr. to Spain.” Enclosure: William Judd to Granger, 5 Jan., requesting an appointment as a district or supreme court judge in the new territory, if Indiana is divided by Congress; he continues, “I know my Own Tallents and Verily believe should appear to Advantage as first Majistrate in such a State, but conclude there are others of more prominent Character that the President will nominate”; note by Granger at foot of text: “Mr. Judd is a Gentleman of about 60 years of Age has for many years been a respectable but not a great Lawyer—he lost his Inheritance & the labors of his life by purchasing Georgia Lands—he is a Stedfast Republican of fair Character—G Granger” (same; endorsed by TJ: “Judd Wm. to be judge of Detroit. his letter to mr Granger”). Other enclosure not found, but see below.
The John Wayles eppes letter probably pertained to the post office at Petersburg. On this day, Granger wrote John Grammer, postmaster there since 1783, that he believed the public interest would be “promoted, by the appointment of a new postmaster” and that he had, consequently, appointed joseph jones in his place (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 28, LPG; Washington Federalist, 27 Feb., 1804; , 267).
office of commissioner: John M. Pintard, the former U.S. consul at Madeira, wrote to Madison on 4 Feb. from Georgetown, South Carolina, to remind the secretary of his earlier application for an appointment as one of the commissioners to Spain (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Pintard John M. to mr Madison. Commr. to Spain”; Vol. 39:438n).
1. MS: “my.”