To James Madison from Colin Easton, 9 October 1806 (Abstract)
From Colin Easton, 9 October 1806 (Abstract)
§ From Colin Easton. 9 October 1806, New York. “Being informed that the Office of Consul for the United States at the Island of St. Croix in the West Indies, is open for an appointment, I take the liberty to offer myself as a Candidate for the same.
“In support of my pretensions for that appointment, I beg leave to refer to the Documents marked No. 1, being testimonials of my Character from my most respectable neighbours, at Springfield in the State of Jersey amongst whom I have chiefly resided for the last four years.1 The Document marked No. 2, is signed by a number of my Mercantile friends, amongst whom I resided in New York before the last four years as a Merchant, given me as a testimonial of my Character from Gentlemen of the highest respectability in that City.2 My friends in Virginia and Maryland, also inform me, they will send forward addressed in due form, testimonials of my character, amongst whom I am well known, having resided many years in Virginia, and had a general acquaintance with people of the first respectability and Character.
“The Document marked No. 3 is a Certificate from Gilbert Robertson Esqr. formerly of Virginia,3 and well known at the Seat of Government, whose Character is that of a correct Merchant, and esteemed and valued as a Gentleman of the highest respectability and information, with whom I lived in the early part of my life, and have always since enjoyed his confidence and esteem. Should it be necessary to offer further testimony of my Character and situation in life, I beg leave to refer to Richard Harrison Esqr. the Auditor, to whom I have had the pleasure of being personally known upwards of twelve years, also John Laird Esqr. of George Town, both of whom are at the Seat of Government.
“Should it please the President to honour me with the appointment of Consul for the United States of America, at the Danish Island of St. Croix, where I have lately been resident, and hold property—For the honour of my friends, who approbate my Character and Conduct, with the Testimony of their names, and for my own credit, I hope I should exert my utmost abilities, to Act satisfactorily to the Honour, Interest, and Dignity of my Country.”
RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801–9, filed under “Easton”). RC 3 pp. For enclosures, see nn.
1. The enclosures have not been identified but may have included William Steele to JM, 15 Sept. 1806.
2. The enclosure was a 26 Sept. 1806 letter to Easton (2 pp.) signed by thirty residents of New York, including Fontaine Maury and Richard S. Hackley, stating their support for Easton’s application.
3. The enclosed certificate, dated 26 Sept. 1806 at New York (1 p.; docketed by Thomas Jefferson), stated that Easton had been employed as a clerk in Robertson’s countinghouse for several years beginning in 1788, that he had earned Robertson’s “entire Confidence & approbation” and kept it to the present day, and that Robertson considered him qualified for “any Station to which he considers himself adequate.”