3 January 1803, Boston. Has received JM’s 14 July 1802 letter [not found] naming him commissioner of bankruptcy2 but has not once been called on to serve. Presumes “that the intention of appointing six Commissioners for this District was, that three should form a Board, & officiate alternately in different cases as they occur’d.” Was unwell when the first case occurred and Judge Davis called Messrs. Blake, Edwards, and Dawes, who have conducted the whole business up to the present. Otis and Brown never signified their acceptances of their commissions to the judge. Understands Brown has declined acting. “The Commission therefore which I have the honor to hold has remained a dead Letter.” Sees no prospect of officiating in office unless Otis and Brown accept or are replaced by others. “As Bankruptcies unhappily appear to increase in this District, & require the daily attendance of the Commissioners,” has thought it expedient to notify JM of the situation. If two other appointments should be made, he recommends Edward Jones of Boston, “whose mercantile abilities & moral & political Character may perhaps render him a suitable person for the Office.”