To Thomas Jefferson from William Barnwell, 15 March 1802
From William Barnwell
Philadelphia March 15th 1802
Honoured Sir
It was with a considerable degree of pleasure that I learned lately, you were benevolently endeavouring to turn the Legislative attention towards the situation of the Citizens of the United States in the Town of New-Orleans. altho not much inclined to prefer warm, to temperate Climates, yet in case there are any regulations formed for that Port, I would be very happy to offer my services as a volunteer in that employ. under your auspices Sir I would willingly undertake it at any time, even without Legislative aid; for from having been habituated to such situations and their diseas there is much hope of my being the more capable of opposing their ravages. Please to excuse my presumption in thus addressing your Excellency, and believe me to be
Honoured Sir Yours most sincerely
Wm. Barnwell
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 19 Mch. and “to be Physician of hospital at N. Orleans” and so recorded in SJL.
For TJ’s effort TO TURN THE LEGISLATIVE ATTENTION toward establishing a marine hospital at New Orleans, see TJ to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 24 Feb. 1802.
HABITUATED TO SUCH SITUATIONS: Barnwell specialized in the study and treatment of tropical diseases (see Barnwell to TJ, 26 Jan. 1802).