To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 18 December 1802
From Thomas Cooper
Wilkesbarre 18 December 1802
Dear Sir
I have received (yesterday) the kind letter you addressed to me in answer to mine from Northumberland. I thank you for the intimation respecting my Son, who I hope will do no discredit to the appointment. He will remain here untill he receives information of his being actually commissioned.
Believe me, with sincere respect Dear Sir Your faithful friend
Thomas Cooper
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 24 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.
letter you addressed to me in answer to mine: TJ to Cooper, 29 Nov., in response to Cooper to TJ, 25 Oct.
intimation respecting my son: an inquiry into the intemperate lifestyle of Thomas Cooper, Jr., had delayed his naval appointment. Robert Smith issued a midshipman’s warrant to him on 6 Apr. 1803, but revoked it on 20 July 1804 because of the young man’s ongoing insobriety (Robert Smith to Thomas Cooper, Jr., 6 Apr. 1803 and 20 July 1804, in DNA: RG 45, LSO; Cooper to TJ, 21 Mch. 1803; TJ to Cooper, 9 Apr. 1803; Smith to TJ, 23 July 1804).