To James Madison from James Swan, [25 June] 1801
From James Swan
[Paris, 25 June 1801]
… I had the honor of writing you by Mr. Pichon,1 requesting your protection in my being named to the Council Generalship in France. Now that you are Secretary of State, I may do it, with more direct effect.2
If Mr. Skipwith wishes to be re-named, and the President consents, I withdraw all pretensions. Indeed I will stand in the way of no one, unless you should think I could serve the interest of the Government & of the citizens of our States, better than any other, & this I pretend to, Mr. Skipwith excepted. It requires a long time before one, quite a stranger, could obtain those acquaintances of the manner of conducting Business in the Bureaux, so as to promise even small benefits to claimants by others. I have been necessitated to both from my own affaires, as well as from those I transacted formerly for France, and in assuring you of the means I possess to be usefull, I am sure of the facts.…
Printed extract (American Art Association Catalogue No. 7799, Frederick B. McGuire Collection [1917], item 147). Listed as ALS, 1 p. Extract also printed in American Art Association–Anderson Galleries Catalogue No. 4217, Library of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Read (1936), item 359.
1. Letter not found.
2. Scottish-born James Swan had lived in Boston and during the Revolution acted as a purchasing agent for the French. A longtime resident of Paris, he hoped to receive an official appointment, although Monroe had denounced him as “a corrupt unprincipled rascal” in 1795 (, 15:358 n. 1).