To James Madison from Samuel Smith, 26 May 1801
From Samuel Smith
Balte. 26. May 1801
Sir,
I think It was determined to displace the present Marshall of Maryland Mr. Hopkins & Appoint Reuben Etting in his Place.1 I wish much that the Commission should be sent Immy. Permit me to report that this Change will give general satisfaction.
My Brother thinks that It will be prudent not to displace Doctr. Thomas2 Immediately. Let him stay in som⟨e⟩ time longer. I am sir, With great Esteem your Obedt. servt.
S. Smith
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Within days of Jefferson’s inauguration he determined to replace David Hopkins with Etting, whose appointment was announced in late May ( , 1:292; National Intelligencer, 29 May 1801).
2. Philip Thomas had served as revenue inspector for Maryland since 1792; in late 1801 he still retained his post ( , 1:102; , Misc., 1:283).