I am just informed by a friend of Dr. Barraud of the Hospital at Norfolk that some arrangement communicated thro’ the Collector of that port, threatens him with the loss of his office; Having been very favorably impressed with the merits of this gentleman by strong representations from Bishop Madison & Judge Tucker, I hope to be excused for saying that I believe him to be a man of very respectable talents, of great private & official worth, and without any political tincture that ought to operate against him. The two gentlemen above named take such an interest in behalf of Docr. Barraud, that I am persuaded no doubt can exist of his title to be continued in his station, unless there be reasons for substituting another unknown to me. I understand that the Docr. is desirous of retaining the care of the Hospital, and will favor, even by some pecuniary self-denials if required, any views of œconomy that may mingle themselves with the new arrangements proposed.1

Not knowing particularly what those may be I cannot pretend to judge of them, if they were less alien to the department of State. All that I mean is, in compliance with the wishes of those whom I respect & confide in, to bear the testimony due to a man of merit, and to furnish those who have to decide with such information as may enable them the better to compare the pretensions of competitors. I communicated formerly a letter from Bishop Madison on the subject of Docr. Barraud,2 to the President and have just forwarded to him one lately recd. from Judge Tucker.3 Most sincer[e]ly & respectfully I am Dr. Sir Yours