Robert Polk to James Madison, Mar. 3

In doing myself the honor of addressing you on the present occasion, permit me to say that it is not without reluctance, I have prevailed upon myself to add one to the number of those who may appea<r> before you as Candidates for a portion of Executive favor. But relying on the liberality of your disposition for indulgence, I take the freedom to address you.

A bill, providing for the prompt settlement of public accounts, having (as I understand) passed both Houses of Congress, by which the office of Solicitor of the Treasury is among others, established, I would, in the event of your approbation of the bill, respectfully present myself as a Candidate for that office. As a motive for this step, I beg leave to state that the duties of that station are familiar to me. When a Clerk, some years ago, in the office of the Comptroller, the superintendence of Suits against public debtors, & the correspondence with the District Attorneys, was assigned to me among other duties; and the records of that office will show how they < > About three years since < > principal Clerk in the office of the Commr. of the Revenue which station I still hold, but the knowledge previously acquired of the laws, & the proceedings < > thereon, would, I conceive, render me competent to fill the station of Solicitor of the <Treasury.> May I, therefore, Sir, respectfully beg the favor of your recommendation of me to Col. Monroe (by whom, I presume the appointment will be made) as a suitable person for that office?

It is needless for me to enlarge, on this subject—If testimonials to my character & pretensions are wanting, they may be obtained from the different officers of government under whom I have served, but they are known to and can be fully appreciated by you. Permit me only to say that after a long training to the public service in various subordinate stations, I may lay claim to the advancement without hazard of incurring the charge of presumption. I have been long enough in the dependent condition of a Clerk to wish for some < > of my views and prospects, respecting < > & Fortune, do not seem yet to be reconciled. < > you, Sir, who possess so many titles to the < > of your country, allow me to look as the friend & patron of one "to fortune & to fame unknown." On your decision it depends, probably, whether I shall be raised into respectability & comfort or pine in indigence and obscurity with a growing family & < > in one, and with the prospect even of this scanty income being taken away by the abolition of the system of Internal taxation.

A severe indisposition (which has confined me for two weeks past to my chamber & from which I am but slowly recovering) precludes me from the honor of paying my respects to you in person. Be pleased, Sir, to accept the sentiments of profound respect with which I have the honor to be Your < >