VARIOUS PROPERTIES
MARSHALL, John (1755-1835), Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Autograph letter signed ("J Marshall") as Secretary of State, to David Lenox in London; Department of State, Washington, 16 September 1800. 1 page, 4to, integral address leaf with panel in Marshall's hand, franked "Department of State," recipient's docket.
Details
MARSHALL, John (1755-1835), Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Autograph letter signed ("J Marshall") as Secretary of State, to David Lenox in London; Department of State, Washington, 16 September 1800. 1 page, 4to, integral address leaf with panel in Marshall's hand, franked "Department of State," recipient's docket.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARSHALL SEEKS THE RELEASE OF TWO IMPRESSED AMERICAN SAILORS. A dedicated Federalist, Marshall had played a key role in the campaign for Virginia's ratification of the Constitution. In 1795, Marshall declined Washington's offer of the post of Attorney General and, when he was proposed for a seat on the Supreme Court in 1798, instead recommended the appointment of Bushrod Washington. In May 1798 President John Adams nominated him for the post of Secretary of State, to succeed Timothy Pickering. He won confirmation by the Senate and took office on June 6, 1800.
Here, three months into his term, Marshall forwards documents relating to the impressment of two American seamen. "I enclose a deposition shewing that Thomas Maskill, a native of New Jersey, has been impressed and is detained on board the British ship of war Zealand, and also a certificate and deposition relative to the case of Benjamin Roberts, a native of Boston, impressed and detained on board the Solebay. The Zealand is said to be lying at the Nore, and the station of the Solebay is uncertain. I request you will be pleased to make the usual application for their charge...." In brief note at the bottom, Lenox, the American agent, has briefly noted the disposition of the cases of the two unfortunate mariners.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARSHALL SEEKS THE RELEASE OF TWO IMPRESSED AMERICAN SAILORS. A dedicated Federalist, Marshall had played a key role in the campaign for Virginia's ratification of the Constitution. In 1795, Marshall declined Washington's offer of the post of Attorney General and, when he was proposed for a seat on the Supreme Court in 1798, instead recommended the appointment of Bushrod Washington. In May 1798 President John Adams nominated him for the post of Secretary of State, to succeed Timothy Pickering. He won confirmation by the Senate and took office on June 6, 1800.
Here, three months into his term, Marshall forwards documents relating to the impressment of two American seamen. "I enclose a deposition shewing that Thomas Maskill, a native of New Jersey, has been impressed and is detained on board the British ship of war Zealand, and also a certificate and deposition relative to the case of Benjamin Roberts, a native of Boston, impressed and detained on board the Solebay. The Zealand is said to be lying at the Nore, and the station of the Solebay is uncertain. I request you will be pleased to make the usual application for their charge...." In brief note at the bottom, Lenox, the American agent, has briefly noted the disposition of the cases of the two unfortunate mariners.