To Thomas Jefferson from Ambrose Spencer, Thomas Tredwell, and Morgan Lewis, 11 April 1804
From Ambrose Spencer, Thomas Tredwell, and Morgan Lewis
Albany April 11th. 1804
Sir,
It having been intimated to us, that Stephen Thorn, Esq. is a Candidate for the Office of Commissioner to settle certain claims of our citizens under the late Treaty with Spain—We cheerfully recommend him as a gentleman well qualified for that Commission. His integrity and fidelity to the true interests of his country, we have no doubt may be implicitly relied upon.
We are, Sir, With the highest respect, your very obed’t Serv’ts.
Ambrose Spencer
Thomas Tredwell
Morn: Lewis
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Spencer’s hand, signed by all (Lewis’s signature on verso); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a letter from Spencer and Tredwell received 23 Apr. and “Thorn Stephen to be Commr. to Spain” and so recorded in SJL.
A native of Long Island, Thomas Tredwell (1743-1831) graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1764, after which he practiced law in Suffolk County, New York. He became a strong supporter of the revolutionary cause and aligned with the political faction led by George Clinton, a connection he maintained in a variety of judicial and political offices, including New York’s ratification convention and the Second and Third Congresses. Having acquired a large parcel of land near Lake Champlain, Tredwell relocated to Clinton County late in the 1790s. He represented that county in the state senate and served as county surrogate from 1807 until his death (Albany Argus, 24 Jan. 1832; James McLachlan, Princetonians, 1748-1768: A Biographical Dictionary [Princeton, 1976], 468-72; ).
For the commission, see Vol. 38:208n.