Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Searcy, 4 June 1805

From Edmund Searcy

Kentucky, Woodford County June 4th. 1805

Sir

I see from an Act of Congress passed the last Session that you are Authorized to divide the District of new Orleans and Appoint Registers therefor as well as a recorder of Land Titles for Louisianie, either of thoses Offices, with your Approbation I should be glad to fill or that of Commissioner for Ascertaining and adjusting the titles and claims to Land within the Territory of new Orleans or the District of Louisianie; Disagreeable as it is to solicit An Office yet from my early aid and support to Frontier Settlements of Kentucky, I consider myself as much entitled to be gratified with any Office I am Qualified to fill as any other Citizen of the United States; And not having the Honour of personal acquaintance with you cannot expect an Appointment with out Asking it and have prefered applying myself; should I be so fortunate as to meet your approbation, I dont hesitate to say that I will Justify your giving me either of the above appointments by furnishing you Such certificates of recommendation as you may require from the Citizens of Kentucky. I am anxious to go into Louisianie and did last Summer solicit your appointment to explore the Red and Arkansas Rivers inclosing a Recommendatory certificate from Genl. Charles Scott Governor Greenup and Peyton Short Esqr. I suppose my Letter never reached you as I received no answer Those appointments were made before my application.

If Written recommendations will Secure me either of the Offices I have now requested or even that of a Surveyor a few lines on that Subject directed to Versailles, Woodford County will be very thankfully received by, And lay under great Obligations Sir your Most

Obedt Humbl Sert.

Edmond Searcy

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 22 June and so recorded in SJL with notation “Orleans or Louisa”; also endorsed by TJ: “Register of Orleans or Recorder of Louisiana.”

Index Entries