To James Madison from Jesse Bledsoe, 1 October 1814
From Jesse Bledsoe
Octobr. 1st. 1814. Washington Cy
Sir.
Permit to recommend to your notice & consideration Docr. Thos. C. Monroe who is desirous of an appointmt. in the Medical Staff of the U.S. Army.
I have long known him, & can attest his probity, assiduity, & exemplary conduct. Of his Medical acquirements I can so no further than that he studied several years under a Physican [sic] of Eminence in Kentucky, & Exhibited to the Honble. Geo. M. Bibb & myself a testimonial of his having been Examined & approved by a medical Board Established, by Law for granting Licences to Medical Practioners in the State of Ohio—& which having been sent with our recommendation of him to the War Office he informs me has been destroyed in the late conflagration.1 I have no doubt he may be Safely confided in—and should feel gratified in his appointment. I have the honor to be With high respect Yr Obt. Servt
J: Bledsoe
RC (DNA: RG 94, Letters Received, filed under “Monroe Thos. J.C.”).
1. A medical board consisting of Col. Henry Carberry, physician and surgeon general James Tilton, hospital surgeon William N. Mercer, and surgeon Hanson Catlett examined Monroe at McKeowin’s Hotel in Washington on 21 Nov. 1814, and concluded that he was “qualified … for a medical appointment” in the U.S. Army (DNA: RG 94, Letters Received, filed under “Monroe Thos. J.C.”). JM nominated Monroe for the position of post surgeon on 27 Apr. 1816, and the Senate confirmed the appointment two days later ( 3:49–50).