To James Madison from Thomas Cruse, 20 February 1806 (Abstract)
From Thomas Cruse, 20 February 1806 (Abstract)
§ From Thomas Cruse.1 20 February 1806, “Brewhouse Alexandria.” “I have taken the liberty in behalf of my friend James Hamilton of Carlisle2 whose principals & talents must be known from his appointment of district Attorney in Pennsylvania, of stating that I have heard him once say that he had some intention of removeing to the district of Columbia. (I know he has a considerable property there) should Mr. Hamiltons views still be this way & the Office of Chief Judge of the district be still vacant, perhaps he might have the honour of Solliciting in person or by letter this appointment.
“I have wrote this day to Mr: Hamilton and doubt not but to have an answer by return of post in 10 or 12 days.”
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801–9, filed under “Hamilton”). 1 p.; docketed by Jefferson.
1. Thomas Cruse was a linen draper, grocer, brewer, and distiller in Alexandria for many years. In 1814 he was named a member of his ward committee to receive volunteers and funds to erect Fort Washington, and ln 1823 he was elected a director of the Columbian Insurance Company (Alexandria, Va., Times; and District of Columbia Daily Advertiser, 7 July and 5 Dec. 1800, 5 Jan. 1801; National Intelligencer, 31 Oct. 1804; Alexandria Daily Advertiser, 22 Aug. 1805, 17 Sept. 1807; Alexandria Gazette, Commercial and Political, 6 Oct. 1814; Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser, 9 Oct. 1819; Alexandria Herald, 5 Nov. 1823).
2. Irish-born lawyer James Hamilton (ca. 1752–1819) served as deputy attorney general and prosecuting attorney before being appointed judge of the ninth judicial district of Pennsylvania in 1806 (Alfred Nevin, Centennial Biography: Men of Mark of Cumberland Valley, Pa., 1776–1876 [Philadelphia, 1876], 213).