1

Murfreesboro 20 Jany 1819

Dear Judge

The Death of Judge Roane of which you will have
heard ere This reaches you, has made it my duty
to appoint his Successor, Tis therefore with comment
or apology that I tender the appointment to you, con
=fidently expecting from your Patriotism on a former
occation [sic] that it will suit your convenience to accept

on This occation [sic] I feel much embarrassed when
I come to reflect upon The difficulty I had to encounter
previous to your acceptance of the former Pro Tem
appointment, but sir I must solicit your friend
=ship in the selection & will not tender the appoint
=ment untill I hear from you, who must be
a much better Judge of the requisite qualifications
and willingness to accept The appointment, Than
I can possibly be.

Should you be engaged in your circuit
when This reaches you, which I earnestly hope
will not be the case, you will make such dis
=position of your time as you may think proper
for my self I should always esteem it as an act
of Justice done to your own character & the interest
of the state to leave the business of the Courts in your circuit
in such condition as to the parties litigant that the
way to Justice and dispatched will be as little im
=peded as possible. We are now endeavoring