From Thomas Jefferson to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 August 1807

I have duly recieved your letter of the 28th. of July expressing a wish that your brother could find some emploiment in New Orleans in which his knolege of the French & Spanish languages might be made useful. it would have been pleasing to me to have been able to point out such an emploiment, & more so to add that any such was within my powers of appointment. but the only appointments I make there, or in any department, are of the highest officers. they alone appoint to all subordinate places under them. in N. Orleans the Governor, Collector, Naval officer & Surveyor of the port are of my appointment: but each of them appoints those under them; and being responsible for their under-agents, are left uncontrolled in their choice as is just. I can do no more therefore than indicate the true sources of appointment there to which your brother should apply. I tender you at the same time the assurances of my high respect & consideration.