Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from John Chester, 15 April 1791

From John Chester

Wethersfield, 15 Apr. 1791. He would have acknowledged TJ’s letter of 4 Mch. 1791 earlier, but he “wished a time to consider of the subject, and advise” with his friends. He has decided to accept appointment and will discharge duties of the office to the best of his ability. He requests TJ to inform President and “to assure him of my attachment to his person, and affection to the government over which he presides.”

RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR). Not recorded in SJL. TJ’s letter transmitted Chester’s commission as supervisor of the excise for Connecticut. Such letters of acceptance have not been included except in this and other instances which reflect some hesitancy about taking on the duty of enforcing an unpopular act.

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    Jefferson Papers
    Title
    To Thomas Jefferson from John Chester, 15 April 1791
    Author
    Chester, John
    Recipient
    Jefferson, Thomas
    Date
    15 April 1791

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To Thomas Jefferson from John Chester, 15 April 1791,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-20-02-0047. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 20, 1 April–4 August 1791, ed. Julian P. Boyd. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1982, p. 215.]