Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Van Cortlandt, 1 February 1804

From Philip Van Cortlandt

Washington Feby. 1. 1804

Sir,

Rufus Easton Esqr. who will present this has informed me that he is an Applicant for an Office under the Territory of Louisiana and has expressed a desire that I should communicate the knowledge I have respecting him—

I remember meeting Mr. Easton one morning at Oneida and was favorably impressed which produced enquiry and was informed that he resided at Rome and was a Councellor at law of respectable reputation, and I have lately received a letter from Mr. D. Clinton giving me Similar information with a request that I shold introduce him to the members of the State and to afford him every proper Attention and patronage in conjunction with them—this is therefore intended as an Assurance of my Esteem for Mr. Easton and my concurrance with my Colliegues in Sentiment.

Please to Accept the tribute of my high Respect & Esteem

Ph. V. Cortlandt

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Feb. and “Easton Rufus to be Atty N.O.” and so recorded in SJL with a brace connecting it to letters received the same day from Tompson J. Skinner of 9 Jan. and Oliver Phelps of 4 Feb.

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