John Savary to James Madison, 27 February 1807
From John Savary
Millersburg Kent State 27th febry 1807
Sir.
You will be Surprised of the liberty I take to direct you the present; But I hope that the subject will carry with it my excuse.
Juge John Coburn, man respectable by his character, his republican principles, his knowledge in the law & also as a father of a numerous family, had been appointed formerly a Juge of the Territory of new Orleans; the dread of that Climate entertained by a part of his family, induced him to decline the acceptance of an office, which he had want, to provide for an increasing family; he write me that he desires to embark his fortune & family in upper Louisiana, where the prospect of health is better than in the southern country & he engage me to second his endeavours to obtain some respectable appointment in upper Louisiana; as I am persuaded that a man of his character will be a good acquisition for the U States I am emboldened by that motive to write you in his favour, because office hunting is not a pleasant pursuit for a modest man; I know Sir that I have not the least claim, the least pretext to your favour & to have some regard to my weak reccommandation. The long time elapsed since I have had the honour of your acquaintance in Virga. is certainly obliterated of your memory, although it is very often present in mine with due respect; & I would have not troubled you in this instance, if it was not for a worthy man, an old acquaintance of mine, Which enjoys the esteem in this State of all the Good citizens & had already desserved the confidence of the fedl. administration in choosing him once as a Juge for Orleans Territory. Permit me Sir to seize this opportunity to renew you the Assurance of the deep respect with which I have the honour to be Sir your most obedt & humble Servant
J Savary1
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1801–9, filed under “Coburn”). Docketed by Jefferson.
1. John Savary (Jean Savary de Valcoulon) (d. 1814) was born in Lyon, France, and settled in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Savary worked as a representative for French purchasers of American real estate and public securities and cooperated with Albert Gallatin in purchasing land in the United States (Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society 39 [1941]: 71; Garraty and Carnes, American National Biography, 8:640).