Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from John Smith of New York, 28 February 1805

From John Smith of New York

Feby. 28th. 1805

I inclose you Sir the name of Judge Tomkins.

I am with the greatest respect yours

John Smith

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “The President of the US”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Mch. and “Tomkins” and “to be distr. judge N.Y.” and so recorded in SJL.

Judge Tomkins: TJ nominated Daniel Tompkins to replace John Sloss Hobart as U.S. district judge for New York, but Tompkins declined the office (Madison to TJ, 1 Apr.). The death of Hobart also prompted Samuel Miller to write to Gallatin with a recommendation on 6 Feb. He suggested William Johnson, arguing that although Johnson was “on the wrong side” politically, he was a man of talent and integrity. Miller questioned those who were promoting Richard Riker for the appointment. Identifying him only as “Mr. R our district attorney,” Miller rebuked Riker, a Republican, as a duelist who lacked both “moral or intellectual character” (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Johnson Wm. to be distr. judge N.Y.” and “R not to be distr. judge”; Vol. 42:71n).

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    Jefferson Papers
    Title
    To Thomas Jefferson from John Smith of New York, 28 February 1805
    Author
    Smith, John (N.Y.)
    Recipient
    Jefferson, Thomas
    Date
    28 February 1805

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To Thomas Jefferson from John Smith of New York, 28 February 1805,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-45-02-0606. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 45, 11 November 1804 to 8 March 1805, ed. James P. McClure et al. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2021, p. 592.]