To Thomas Jefferson from John Callender, 20 September 1802
From John Callender
Boston Septr. 20th. 1802.
Sir/
Previous to the amendment of the bankrupt act, I held an appointment under the judge of this District as a commissioner of bankrupts—by which I was enabled to support myself & family—the loss of this office in consequence of the new arrangement has been a serious misfortune to me—as it was the principle source of my subsistence—I observe that one or two of the gentlemen appointed here do not accept, & are not employed in the duties of this office—I therefore take the liberty most earnestly to request of the president, that he would be pleased to appoint me as commissioner aforesaid—The president is respectfully referred to Mr Morton for any information which he may wish concerning the character & capacity of this applicant. I am sir with sentiments of respect your most obedient and very hble servt
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 10 Nov. and so recorded in SJL with notation “for emploiment.” Enclosed in Perez Morton to Levi Lincoln, 4 Oct. and Lincoln to TJ, 29 Oct. 1802.
John Callender (1772–1833) of Boston, was a 1790 graduate of Harvard College, a lieutenant in the Boston Light Infantry in 1798, a member of the state legislature, secretary of the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati, and a clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court (James Spear Loring, The Hundred Boston Orators Appointed by the Municipal Authorities and Other Public Bodies, From 1770 to 1852, 2d ed. [Boston, 1853], 257–8).