To Thomas Jefferson from George Thatcher, 6 January 1807
Biddeford 6th January 1807—
Sir—
The office of Collector at York for the District of York in Maine, is now vacant by the death of Major Derby—And I trust I shall be excused by you, Sir, in bringing to your notice, on this occasion, the name of Joseph Savage Esqr. as a suitable person to fill that office—
I pledge myself to you that he is capable, honest & attached to the Government of the United States—And if past services to the United States, have any merit in recommending a person to office—he stands second to very few on this ground. He entered the army of Liberty in April seventeen hundred & seventy five & continued fighting for his Country untill her liberties were finally established by a treaty of peace with England—
He entered again in seventeen hundred & ninety & served in the armies of the United States in the interior of Georgia till he had so injured his health by the climate & fatigues of the service as to make it absolutely necessary to retire—He has never fully regained his health—He has a family of five children & no effectual means of a continued support:
The Honourable Mr. Cutts, Representative from this District can give you any information you may want respecting Mr Savage—
I am Sir, with perfect respect Your obedient Servant
George Thatcher
DNA: RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.