RC (MHi); dateline at foot of text; partially dated; addressed (with cover divided between verso of this letter and PoC of TJ to George Logan, 24 Nov. 1816, resulting in some loss of text): “To The Honourable Thomas Jefferson (To the care of Doctor Tucker or Joseph Anderson Esquire) City of Washington Who are requested t[o] forward it on to Mr Jefferson”; franked; postmarked (faint) [Charleston], 21 Aug.; endorsed by TJ as a letter of “Aug. 1816” received 29 Aug. 1816 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: “A South-Carolinian” [Pinckney], Observations to shew the propriety of the nomination of Colonel James Monroe, to the Presidency of the United States by the Caucus at Washington (Charleston, 1816), which refutes the notion that the presidency should be rotated among the states, with no Virginians to be elected in future until other parts of the nation have provided presidents; commends Monroe’s character and qualifications in a biographical essay that emphasizes the numerous federal appointments he has held successfully and shows “the superiority of his claims in every respect to any opponent” put forth by other Republicans (pp. 30–1); and defends the practice of congressional caucuses recommending presidential candidates, asking, in such a large country, “how will it be possible for the people or State Legislatures, to know any thing of the principles, talents and conduct of the candidates, but through the members of Congress” (p. 37).