Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Willing, 6 October 1801

To Thomas Willing

Washington Oct. 6. 1801.

Dear Sir

Your favor of the 15th. Sep. reached me in due time, and I think it my duty to express my entire satisfaction with the reasons given in favor of mr Davidson. besides these, I knew the place to require such confidence as little short of personal knowlege could inspire. the quarrel between Forest & mr Hanson, which threatened to the latter the danger which occasioned my application, is now in discussion at the bar: and will end in good to none, ruin to several, & injury to many. an imprudent charge made by mr Hanson in a moment of warmth:1 obliges him to bring such facts for his justification as will displease his employers & produce pretty certainly his dismission. but in all probability it will destroy their bank. Accept assurances of my high respect & consideration.

Th: Jefferson

PrC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

Samuel Hanson was removed on 13 Oct. from his position as cashier of the Bank of Columbia after seven and a half years of service. An airing of his grievances in the newspaper, fulfilling his charge to disclose “bank secrets,” included his assertion that the bank directors and Benjamin Stoddert owed more than half the debt of the bank, amounting to seven-eighths of the bank’s capital, and that Uriah Forrest was not without flaw despite the recent verdict in his favor (Walsh, Early Banks in D.C. description begins John Joseph Walsh, Early Banks in the District of Columbia, 1792–1818, Washington, 1940 description ends , 75; Wilmington Mirror of the Times, 7 Nov. 1801).

1TJ canceled “however supported.”

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