The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-07-30
TWO NEW OLD LETTERS.

How Thomas Jefferson Was Obliged to
Importune Statesmen to Take Cabinet
Office.
[Forney's Progress.l
Thomas Jefferson, third president of the
United States, was not worried by office
seekers, but he gave himself great deal of
worry to secure a secretary of the navy in
the first year OF his administration, 1901
The two following original letters from the
great Democrat, never before published, to
John Lsngdon, Of Portsmouth, n. H,
will prove tnat he not only tried hard to get
that distinguished patriot to take Office, but
that he failed to secure him. Langdon died
at Portsmouth, n. H., on the 18th of Sep
tember, 1919, aged rs. He served in the
Colonial Congress before and during the
Revolution, was a signer of the Declaration
of Independence, repeatedly governor of his
State, and senator in Congress from 1889 to
1901, but he could not be tempted to take
Office under President jefferson. DR.. Al
fred L. Elwin, living in Philadelphia,
grandson of John Langdon, of New Hamp-
shire, furnishes these letters for publica-
ton.
WASHINGTON, June %, 1901.
DEAR sIR-Your favor OF the 10th was re-
ceived yesterday, tho am in hopes that by
that time you have not only determined to
accept, but may be on your way, still it is nec-
essary for me to inform you that General
turn, consequently the Office is in
Immediate inn =, want of you; besides
during i the month ff OF August september. :et it
would seem therefore very desirable that you
could be here Immediately to get possessed of
the current of business. as Tor instance if
you could be here by the 10th of July, YOU
would have weeks TO get into the course
of affairs. could then return home, and in
the course of August & Sep. settle your matters
then, so as to meet us here with your family
by the lst of October. thus on the pr. sumption
that. like good citizen, you are determined
to repair to the call OF your country, have
lain out your time for you according 10 my
wishes. as in encouragement TO Mrs. Landon
agreeable a residence as you can possibly wish.
the tranquility of the country, with the
society OF the city, very happily united: we
and enough Of il. present my respectful salu-
tations to Mrs. Langdon, and accept yourself
assurances of my constant and affectfonate
esteem. TIL. JEFFERSON.
WASHINGTON, May %, 1901.
MY DEAR SIR-After your refusal of the office
of secretary of the navy, it was proposed to
manner declined 1t. General smith then
agreed to perform the duties without being
appointed or receiving any reward. He has
on a surmise that Captain Jones might give a
different answer on second application.
proposed it to him again, and he again de-
clined it. now learn that it is thought pos
sible that you might be induced to relieve our
distress by undertaking it. lose not mo-
men' vou Tne abours Issorma
| the Vessels will all be over to your hand. the
charming society, & not too much of it. ali
living in efectionate and unceremonious
terms. it is impossible TO be associated with
more agreeable colleagues. hope therefore
that you will undertake the Office, & so say by
return of post the Commission shall be for
shall entertain the hope of seeing Miss Lang
don K yourself as soon after as your conven-
fence will admit accept assurance of my
constant esteem and high consideration.
tn. JEFFERSON.