To James Madison from John Montgomery, 28 November 1795
From John Montgomery
Carlisle 28th novbr 1795
Sir
I take the Liberty of recomending the Bearer the Revd David Beard1 to your notice youll find him a Sensible Judicous man he is related to our fumbly 3 townships Composed the District for which he was Choosen a representive in Congrass for this state two of the townships acted under the old Election Law and the Judges met at the place apointed on the day but one of the townships who had Sent out malitia to the Westren Counties acted under the Suplement which give farthur time in makeing the return it has been made out Since and returned thire is no disput in regard to mr Beards Election he had a Consderable Majoritty thire is no fault in the Elected or in the Electors Shall take it Kind if you will take notice of mr Beard as he is a Stranger. I am Sir your most obdt Humbe Servant
John Montgomery2
RC (DLC).
1. David Bard was a member with JM of the American Whig Society at the College of New Jersey, from which he graduated in 1773. He had served as a minister in Virginia and Pennsylvania Presbyterian churches. He took his seat when the House of Representatives convened on 7 Dec. 1795, and on 18 Mar. 1796 the Standing Committee of Elections upheld his election. As a Republican congressman, he represented central Pennsylvania constituencies, 1795–99 and 1803–15 (Harrison, Princetonians, 1769–1775, pp. 266–68; , 4th Cong., 1st sess., 125, 795; , Miscellaneous, 1:142; Parsons et al., United States Congressional Districts, pp. 60, 118, 190).
2. Montgomery was a founder of Dickinson College and encountered JM when he served as a delegate in the Continental Congress, 1782–84. He was active in Pennsylvania Republican politics (Cunningham, The Jeffersonian Republicans, pp. 41–42).