Albert Gallatin to Thomas Jefferson, 12 September 1805
From Albert Gallatin
New York 12th Septer. 1805
Dear Sir
I enclose a letter from Mr. Brackenridge, by which it appears that Robert Grayson is yet in Kentucky & would accept the office of commissr. in either of the lower districts.
You will also receive herewith a respectable application for the removal of Mr Pope collector of New Bedford. In his official conduct there is nothing remarkable; he is not always very correct in his accounts, not so deficient as to justify on that account a removal; but any body would do as well as he.
With great respect & sincere attachment Your obedt. Servt.
Albert Gallatin
I intend leaving this city for Washington on the 23d instt.
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Sep. and “Grayson. Pope” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: John Breckinridge to Gallatin, Lexington, Kentucky, 16 Aug., recommending Robert Grayson for appointment as a commissioner of the land office for Orleans Territory; Grayson is fluent in French, “is a man of integrity,” and as a single man would require little time for the relocation (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Grayson Robert to be Comr. in either of the lower districts”). For other enclosures, see below.
Gallatin had recently received two letters recommending the removal of Edward Pope from the office of collector in New Bedford, Massachusetts, both of which argued that Pope’s Federalist allegiance interfered with his execution of the office. The first, from Cornelius Grinnell and 10 others at New Bedford on 27 Aug., averred that Pope had filled the district offices with men who were “decidedly and avowedly in opposition to the President” and recommended Isaiah Weston in his place (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Weston, Isaiah to be Collector New Bedford vice Pope”). Weston had written to TJ in late 1804 and volunteered himself for the office, should Pope be removed (Vol. 45:137–8). The second, a 3 Sep. letter from Nathaniel Morton, Jr., at Freetown, Massachusetts, recommended the removal of Pope and his replacement with “some discreet and respectable republican” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Pope” and “to be removd. from Collectorship N. Bedford”). For additional calls to remove Pope from office and applications for the job, see Vol. 41:421–2; Vol. 42:556–7; Vol. 44:26; Vol. 45:195, 245–6, 444–5.