Details
MADISON, JAMES, President. Autograph letter signed to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, Washington, D.C., 15 December 1814. One page, 4to.
MADISON APPOINTS A SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
"Mr. [William] Jones having retired from the Secretaryship of the Navy, my thoughts have been turned to you as a desirable successor; and I have this day sent in your name to the Senate for the appointment. I hope you will excuse my doing it without your consent which would have been asked, if the business of that Department had less urged an avoidance of delay. The same consideration will aplogize for my hoping that it will not be inconsistent with your views to aid your country in that station, nor with your commencing to repair to it as soon as you may receive notice that the Senate have given effect to the nomination....."
Presidential letters offering cabinet-level appointments are decidedly of rare occurence on the market. The exigencies imposed by the war of l812, in which the Navy played such a significant role, are the causes Madison alludes to in apologizing for not asking Crowninshield in advance whether he would accept the post. Madison had perviously offered the post to Captain John Rodgers, who declined (but did serve as Acting Secretary of the Navy under Monroe, in September l823). Crowninshield (l772-l851), a member of a prominent Salem, Massachusetts merchant family, had been sent to sea as a cabin-boy, and risen to captain a ship at age 20. At first, Crowninshield declined the office offered here, but a few days later, relented. His appointment was quickly confirmed by the Senate only four days after the present letter. Crowninshield succeeded William Jones of Pennsylvania, who had held the office since January, l813, during the darkest days of the War, but resigned for personal reasons. Fortunately, the War was nearly over (the Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24), for Crowninshield accomplished little in his post; held over during Monroe's Presidency, he resigned on October l, l8l8.
MADISON APPOINTS A SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
"Mr. [William] Jones having retired from the Secretaryship of the Navy, my thoughts have been turned to you as a desirable successor; and I have this day sent in your name to the Senate for the appointment. I hope you will excuse my doing it without your consent which would have been asked, if the business of that Department had less urged an avoidance of delay. The same consideration will aplogize for my hoping that it will not be inconsistent with your views to aid your country in that station, nor with your commencing to repair to it as soon as you may receive notice that the Senate have given effect to the nomination....."
Presidential letters offering cabinet-level appointments are decidedly of rare occurence on the market. The exigencies imposed by the war of l812, in which the Navy played such a significant role, are the causes Madison alludes to in apologizing for not asking Crowninshield in advance whether he would accept the post. Madison had perviously offered the post to Captain John Rodgers, who declined (but did serve as Acting Secretary of the Navy under Monroe, in September l823). Crowninshield (l772-l851), a member of a prominent Salem, Massachusetts merchant family, had been sent to sea as a cabin-boy, and risen to captain a ship at age 20. At first, Crowninshield declined the office offered here, but a few days later, relented. His appointment was quickly confirmed by the Senate only four days after the present letter. Crowninshield succeeded William Jones of Pennsylvania, who had held the office since January, l813, during the darkest days of the War, but resigned for personal reasons. Fortunately, the War was nearly over (the Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24), for Crowninshield accomplished little in his post; held over during Monroe's Presidency, he resigned on October l, l8l8.