To Thomas Jefferson from Matthew Lyon, 26 February 1807

Sir	Washington Feby 26th. 1807

When I had the honour of waiting on you a day or two since on the subject of the Judge to be appointed in the new Western circuit I do not recolect your mentioning the name of Ninian Edwards amoung those you seemed to consider candidates.

I feel it my duty to present his name to you that he may stand with the other Candidates for that office—

He is a gentleman of a regular law education, he was eminent in the profession when he four years ago accepted the appointment of a Judge in the General & circuit Court, where he has distinguished himself as well by his decorous government of the Courts in which he has presided; as by his correct decisions, he is (I understand) lately appointed a judge of the Court of appeals—

He has presided with great reputation in four of the Counties I represent which has given me an opportunity of being well acquainted with him he is about 32 years old and in my opinion in point of Tallents & qualifications for a judge behind no person in Kentucky of that age, to this permit me to add that he is a zealous advocate for the principles & the measures of the present administration

I am very respectfully your obedient Servt

M Lyon

DNA: RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.

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