[draft] Boston, March 29, 1801. private my Dear Sir Among the most perplexing and most thankless acts of your high station will be that of appointments to offices. You will be assailed by all sorts of arguments by application to obtain their ends, and even with with [sic] all the possible caution and wisdom errors may be committed. I ask pardon for these observations which I am persuaded have alredy occurred in full force; and also for the Trouble I am about giving you, perhaps were a Secretary of Navy approved I should not have intruded on your time It has been suggested that it is probable that a new appointment of Naval Agent will be made for this depart[ment]. I know not how true this may be, but on the condition that it should be so, I beg leave to suggest the name of my particular friend General Henry Jackson as one highly worthy to fill the office. He possessed it before the person who now holds it, and was superceded by Mr Wolcott when Secretary of the Treasury. Under [2] the direction of Genl Jackson the Constitution was built, one of the finest frigates floating on the ocean. Abundant and perfect evidence could be adduced, of his zealous industry oeconomy and integrity in the performance of that business. Indeed his competence in all respects to execute the duties of the station cannot be questioned with propriety. I shall only add hat if another appointment should be made, I shall gratefully acknowledge the favor if it be given to Genl Jackson. [docket] March 29, 1801 To The President of The United States