James Madison Papers

To James Madison from Jonathan Jennings, 1 March 1813 (Abstract)

§ From Jonathan Jennings

1 March 1813, House of Representatives. “I enclose herewith, memorials addressed to the President, recommending Elijah Sparks of Indiana Territory in Dearborne County, for the appointment of Judge which has lately been made.1

“I now recommend him for the appointment of Attorney for the United States for that Territory,2 under the Act of Congress lately passed.”3

RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1809–17, filed under “Sparks”). RC 1 p. For enclosures, see n. 1.

1Jennings enclosed eight undated copies of a memorial signed by citizens in Dearborn, Jefferson, and Franklin counties in the Indiana Territory (22 pp.; printed in Carter, Territorial Papers, Indiana, 8:244–50). The copies, almost identical in wording, requested that JM fill the judicial vacancy caused by the death of Henry Vanderburgh. Fearing that an appointment might not be made during the war, the petitioners pointed out that the judiciary had ceased to function, “to the prejudice of Sutors,” and they suggested Sparks as a qualified candidate. For JM’s appointment to the judgeship, see Sparks to JM, 23 Feb. 1813, n. 1.

2On 26 July 1813, JM nominated Sparks as U.S. district attorney for the Indiana Territory, and the Senate confirmed the appointment the next day (Senate Exec. Proceedings description begins Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, 1828). description ends , 2:400).

3Jennings referred to “An Act authorizing the appointment of additional officers in the respective territories of the United States,” 27 Feb. 1813 (U.S. Statutes at Large description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America … (17 vols.; Boston, 1848–73). description ends , 2:806).

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