James Madison Papers

To James Madison from Edmund Pendleton, 13 July 1791

From Edmund Pendleton

Virga. July 13th. 1791.

Dr. Sir

I take the liberty of troubling you once more in behalf of my Nephew Nathaniel Pendleton junr. of Georgia, who wishes to succeed Mr. Rutlidge in the Office he has resigned as a Judge of the Supreme Fœdral Court.1 He supposes a resident in the Southern district will be appointed, and that from Georgia, as the Carolinas have been already gratified; in which case he hopes his present rank of District Judge, will give him preference to any competitor there. I have pleasure in hearing he stands high in the Opinion of his fellow Citizens, and if you think his reasoning sound, and can give him aid in his pretensions, It will particularly oblige Dr. Sir Yr. very Affe. & Obt. Servt.

Edmd. Pendleton

RC (DLC: Washington Papers). Addressed by Pendleton. JM forwarded this letter to Jefferson in Philadelphia, who passed it on to Tobias Lear (JM to Jefferson, 24 July 1791; Jefferson to JM, 27 July 1791).

1On the same day, Edmund Pendleton also solicited Jefferson’s support for his nephew’s nomination (Pendleton to Jefferson, 13 July 1791 [DLC: Jefferson Papers]). Washington appointed Thomas Johnson of Maryland to the office.

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