To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Snelson, 20 December 1802
From Robert Snelson
New york 20th [Dec.] 1802
Sir
Pardon me for the liberty I have taken in addressing you on a Subject So Interesting to my self as the preasent one, vizt. by the hand of providence my little family the last Summer was cut off and is no more & am left my Self as it ware a Single man, in this place
Soliciting your Survilities to give me aid as a Cleark in the House of Mr. Daniel Ludlow of this City or any Mercantile house that your Self or Mr Ludlow may think proper to appoint, my comeing here a Stranger labours under much Disadvantage in getting a birth—But your friends of New-york have advised & named Mr Ludlow whoe thay think might be a proper Person with a line from you to get Employ Either in the house of him Self or Else whare—
I am sorry to trouble you on this head at a time when Crouded with the good & wellfare of our Country, but as my welfare much depends upon this I rest my self with hopes of a line by Post Shortly or when convenient
I add with all respect to be your most Humble Srvt.
Robert Snelson
from Milton
Stubility & Industery shall not be lacking in my self as a Cleark to which I have been bred
RS
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); partially dated; at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson, his Excelency”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Dec. and “wants employment” and so recorded in SJL.
Robert Snelson operated a store in Milton, Virginia, for Robert Rives & Co., where he sold nails from TJ’s nailery in the mid-1790s. Snelson and TJ corresponded between 7 Mch. 1795 and 18 Feb. 1797, but the letters are missing (, 2:924, 926; Vol. 28:365–6, 409–10).
Recommended by Burr, New York City merchant daniel ludlow was appointed navy agent at New York early in TJ’s presidency. TJ transacted business with Daniel Ludlow & Co., Van Staphorst & Hubbard’s agents in New York (, 1:530–1, 537–8; , 2:997; Vol. 31:55–6, 570–1; Vol. 33:308–9; Vol. 34:515n).