To James Madison from James Ewell, 25 January 1813 (Abstract)
§ From James Ewell1
25 January 1813, Washington. Submits for JM’s perusal letters to be presented to the head of the Navy Department. “If the recommendations submitted to you should be deemed sufficient to entitle me to the office I solicit, I shall ever be grateful for your acquiescence which I flatter myself will be the only thing wanting to ensure me success.”
RC (DLC). 1 p. Addressee not indicated. Enclosures not found.
1. James Ewell (1773–1823), a physician, author, and brother of Thomas Ewell, was appointed by Paul Hamilton to a clerkship in the Navy Department when his predecessor, Samuel P. Todd, Dolley Madison’s nephew, became a navy purser in July 1812. On assuming control of the Navy Department in January 1813, William Jones was eager to dismiss James Ewell, who was notorious for his lack of accounting and handwriting abilities (McKee, A Gentlemanly and Honorable Profession, 21).