From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Kennon, 20 July 1804
To Richard Kennon
Washington July 20. 04.
Sir
The act of Congress establishing the government of Louisiana has placed that of it’s several districts chiefly in a Commandant subject only to the superintendance of the Governor of Indiana at Vincennes. it is of great importance that these officers, 5. in number, of whom 3. will be Colos. and 2. Majors, should be filled with persons who may blend with great prudence the duties civil & military annexed to the office. I am desirous of availing the public of your services with the rank and emoluments of a Colo. in the regular service; and ask the favor of you to give me as early notice as you can whether I may count on your acceptance. the government commences the 1st. of Oct. next, and your residence would probably be either at St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste Genevieve or New Madrid. Accept my salutations and assurances of esteem & respect.
Th: Jefferson
PoC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “Colo. Richard Kennon”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “to be Commandt. Col.”
Richard Kennon (1759-1805) of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, served during the Revolutionary War and later received a commission as general in the state militia. He represented Mecklenburg County in the House of Delegates from 1788 to 1792 and became speaker of the state senate in 1800 (, 31 [1923], 186; , 2d ser., 14 [1905], 134-5; Cynthia Miller Leonard, comp., The General Assembly of Virginia, July 30, 1619-January 11, 1978: A Bicentennial Register of Members [Richmond, 1978], xvii, 169, 176, 180, 188, 213, 217, 222, 225; TJ to Dearborn, 30 Aug.).