James Madison Papers

From James Madison to Creed Taylor, 4 January 1813

To Creed Taylor

Washington Jany. 4. 1813

Sir

Understanding that a Clerk will be wanted for a Chancery Court at Fredg. I have yielded to the request of the friends of Mr. R. M. Chapman, who is my neighbor & acquaintance, so far as to join them in bearing testimony to his personal worth & reputed qualifications for the duties of such an appointment. Being ignorant of the other names which may be before the Judges, it would not be in my power, if it were less improper, to enter into the comparative estimates, by which their selection will be guided. I could not do less however than express my belief, that if this should fall on Mr. Chapman the object of the Court would not be disappointment. Be pleased to accept assurances of my esteem & respect.1

James Madison

RC (ViU: Creed Taylor Papers). Addressee not indicated.

1Creed Taylor (1766–1836) was a lawyer and judge in Cumberland County, Virginia. He served under Capt. Charles Allen during the Revolution and later worked in the law office of Col. George Carrington Jr. Taylor was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1788 and of the state senate from 1798 to 1805. In November 1805 he was elected judge of the General Court and in June 1806 chancellor of the superior court for the Richmond District. Taylor was the founder and director of the Needham Law School (Robert K. Brock, Needham Law School, 1821–1842 [Farmville, Va., 1935], 10–11).

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