November 1817.
r.
Crawford called upon me to enquire if I had sent an answer
to a question from Governor Bibb
of the Alabama Territory, whether the Oath of Office could be
administered to him by any other person than the President of the United States— I had
received his Letter asking the question some days since, and by the
President’s direction had immediately answered that he might take the
Oath before any magistrate 269competent to
administer Oaths within the Territory. It was past twelve before I
reached the Office— Taylor and
Strong, came again upon their
business. Taylor is willing to go back as agent to Petion’s Government, or to that of
Christophe; or as Consul
at Amsterdam, or any where to a place of honour and profit. Mr John
Graham called likewise at the Office, and wished that the
Congress Frigate might be ordered round to Annapolis to take the
Commissioners to South America— I went to the Presidents at four, and
had a multitude of objects upon which his directions were necessary. I
left him about five— Cardelli
dined with us. He has begun a new portrait of my wife; being dissatisfied with
the first— I despatched a Letter and papers this Evening by the Mail to
G. Blake at Boston.