To James Madison from John Thompson, 28 March 1816
From John Thompson
March 28 1816
Sir,
In the first commencment of the revolusion I was amongst the first that took up arms in the defence of this countrey and continued untill the cloase of the ware. I expendid considerable sums of money for the united states which has not been remburst to me, and from sircomstancis not within my controle I am redused to low scircomstances I am indused from my faithfull performing the offices I filled in the revolution for which I have letters and scirtificates from officers of high standing in the Armey, on these grounds therefore of past scervisis not yeat compensated I consider my selfe intitled to notice, which indusis me to aply to you for an apointment in any of the land offices or any office that I am capebell of filling I applied sum time since for a Judges place but before my application the place had been given. I have letters of recomendation from Gentelmen of respectibillity I expect that the Honorabill Mr. Monrow Sceretery of State has sum knoledg⟨e⟩ of my character.1 I studied law and thought to moved to the State of Ohio or to the Indiania teretory but for the want of asistane I am unable to goe. I hope you still have a place to plant a faithfull old solder of the revolution and a true frend to the present administration. I am with High respect your Humle. Servt.
John Thompson
I ledge at Mr. Samuel Bootes inkeeper in georgetowne District of Columbe.
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. In his ca. 15 Apr. 1816 note to JM, James Monroe enclosed a 15 Apr. 1816 letter he had received from John Thompson and recalled him as belonging to “a Pena. brigade in the revolutionary war.” This may have been the John Thompson who joined the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment as a lieutenant in 1776; it is also possible that Thompson eventually made his way to Ohio ( 540; DAR Patriot Index: Centennial Edition, [3 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1990; repr. 1994], 3:2924).