To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas T. Davis, [28 August 1801]
From Thomas T. Davis
Danville Kentucky [28 Aug. 1801]
Sir
I have been informed that Mr W. Claiborn does not accept his appointment as Govenor of the Mississippi Territory: Should this be the case I would be pleased with the appointment. A Residence of thirteen years among the Western people & a frequent intercourse with every part of the Western Country enables me to form Just notions of them & their policy. Whether my character as a man authorise me to ask this or not you will be able to form some opinion from the large majorities by which I have been Elected to Congress from this State. Whether I am friendly to our Constitution or not can be decided by my Conduct since I have been in Congress. Frequent & long absences from home while attending my publick duty in Congress is disagreeable & unprofitable. Being considerably under middle life, with a growing family, my exertions are necessary for their support in some way & the practice of the Law irksome & Bar, in this Country crowded. I am with respect
your obt Sert.
Tho. T. Davis
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); mutilated, with date supplied from SJL; endorsed by TJ as received 15 Sep. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ, in part, “to be Govr. of Missisip[i].”
TJ appointed Joseph Crockett the marshal for the district of Kentucky in June 1801 (Vol. 32:592). Davis and John Fowler had represented Kentucky in the House of Representatives since the Fifth Congress ().