James Madison Papers

To James Madison from William Marshall, 16 June 1801

From William Marshall

Charleston June 16th: 1801.

Sir

I take the liberty, at the request of a number of respectable Republicans, to address you on the subject of the vacancy wch. has taken place in the office of Chief Judge of this circuit, in consequence of the resignation of my brother in law Mr. Gaillard.1 The inclosed certificate is recommendatory of Dominick Augustin Hall Esqe2 to that office. The certificate sufficiently speaks its own respectability, tho’ probably you are unacquainted with the characters who have given it authority with their names. It is signed by the Governor, two Chancellors, two Judges of the courts of Sessions & Pleas, Mr. Gaillard the gentleman recently appointed to that office & Mr. Lee, an eminent lawyer of this state. It was not deemed proper by any means to apply to persons of different political Sentiments, but determined that it should consist of a particular selection of prominent and influential Republicans. I am requested to state, that Mr. Hall is a very meritorious man and deserves well of us here, for his steady and zealous, attachment to those interests, wch. turned the tide of opinion in this country in the late election. Like many others, he has suffered persecution for this, & has felt it severely in the rapid diminution of his practice, occasioned by the conduct of those, who carry on the most marked and bitter hostility against the partisans of the late glorious change. Mr. Hall has lately recd. a new proof of the confidence of his friends, by being elected a Republican Representative, from this city in April last, in opposition to very formidable candidates, and the whole array of force brought forward by the Federalists. I beg pardon, Sir, for having intruded so much upon you, personally unknown to you, as I am; But I could not resist the request, & the occasion must plead the excuse. I am Sir, With great respect & The Highest Consideration Yr. most Obt. St.

W. Marshall3

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