To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Waterhouse, 12 December 1807
Cambridge Decr. 12th 1807
Sir,
The Collector has just notified me, that the President of the United States had been pleased to appoint me Physician to the Marine hospital at Charlestown; for which I return you my most cordial thanks.
Until yesterday I thought, that the appointment included the Navy-yard; as I knew that Dr Jarvis did the duties of both. As they are contiguous, I thought they formed one medical department; but I find, one is the care of the commercial seamen; the other the seamen and marines of the United States.
I would not be thought too craving, but I will venture to offer myself a candidate to do all that my predecessor did; especially as they lay so convenient. It is here, thought not very probable, that any medical man of distinction will accept of the Navy yard medical department, while I possess the more lucrative one the hospital: Which idea is submitted to the President of the United States with the greatest submission, by his obliged
and very humble Servt
Benjn. Waterhouse
DNA: RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.