To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 21 July 1803
From Henry Dearborn
Washington July 21st, 1803
Sir
I take the liberty of enclosing a letter from Mrs. Stuart, daughter to Blair McClennigan of Philadelphia, whether you will think it expedient to give him the appointment his daughter requests, or not, I cannot pretend to say, but if something could be done for him, I presume it would be pleasing to our friends.
with sentiments of the highest respect I am Sir Your Huml Servt
H. Dearborn
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 July and “Mc.lanachan Blair to be Commr. bkrptcy” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Deborah Stewart to Dearborn, Philadelphia, 16 July 1803, requesting that Dearborn intercede with the president to procure for her father, Blair McClenachan, the vacant office of commissioner of bankruptcy at Philadelphia; her father has obtained a certificate that extricates him from his financial embarrassments and he will now be able to “devote his whole time and attention to any employment that may be given to him”; Stewart realizes that there are many applicants and few offices, but she hopes her father’s patriotism and perseverance in the principles that have brought the country to the “present happy situation” will ensure “that he will not be neglected” (RC in same; Vol. 36:307-8n).
Deborah Stewart (stuart) previously wrote TJ requesting a position for her oldest son, William Stewart. He was appointed consul at Smyrna in 1802 (Vol. 37:204-5). For McClenachan’s recent applications to the president seeking a position in Philadelphia, see Vol. 39:84-5 and Vol. 40:681. TJ appointed McClenachan a bankruptcy commissioner for the district of Pennsylvania with a commission dated 14 Oct. 1803 (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 59, MPTPC; Vol. 37:709).