To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, [2 July 1802]
From Albert Gallatin
[2 July 1802]
Will the President enquire from Gen. Dearborn whether Mr Lee is proper to succeed Mr Gerry, as Collector at Marblehead, and whether he has any objection to the commanding officer at Massac being made Collector.—Chribs the present collector is infamous & must be removed but the place is so unhealthy that no other person will go and live there. A similar necessity has existed in the case of Cap. Taylor appointed Surveyor at Beacon Island N.Ca.
A. G.
RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 2 July and “Gerry Chribbs Taylor” and so recorded in SJL.
William R. LEE of Marblehead had expressed interest in the collectorship at Salem, Massachusetts, in place of the Federalist Joseph Hiller, who was delinquent in his accounts. Jacob Crowninshield wrote TJ in December 1801 warning against Lee’s appointment and recommending John Gibaut, a Salem resident instead (Vol. 35:352; Vol. 36:116–20). For the delinquent accounts of Republican Samuel R. GERRY, see Vol. 36:195–6 and Vol. 37:634–5.
COMMANDING OFFICER AT MASSAC: Daniel Bissell. For his military career, see , 10:240n. Bissell replaced William Chribbs, who had held the collectorship since December 1801 (Vol. 33:678; Vol. 37:634–5; Appendix I). For the appointment of James TAYLOR in 1799, see Vol. 33:164–5.