[XXIV-69] Dear Sir Philadelphia June 29. 1789 I have Seen the Bill for establishing a Judiciary for the United States, as it^has passed a Second Reading in the Senate and find that it is merely proposed to establish a Court for each District and a Marshal to the Court of each District who as the title now Stands is to be nominated by the President — I have filled the Office of Marshal of the Admiralty for this State Since my retiring from the Army but this Office ceases by the Establishment of the Federal Courts — On a Review of the Affairs of this State about Eighteen Months ago, the Executive Council were pleased to approve my Conduct by a Reappointment have Since appointed me one of the Justices of the Court of Common pleas for the County of Philadelphia and I flatter myself that my Conduct as an Officer has been acceptable to all persons Concerned — It is with great pleasure that I have found my public Accounts in the different departments during the war, so far passed by M[r] [undecipherable] as to leave no Claims against me on that Account and I am happy in having friends who have Offered Security for the performance of my Office during the appointment — These Circumstances induced me, to apply by Letter to His Excellency the President (who has constantly honored me with his Commands) for the Appointment of Marshall of the Federal Court for the District of Pennsylvania in which I confined myself solely to stating the Approbation this State had Shown for my Conduct as an Officer and I flatter myself I have the personal Friendship of the President — But I have applied to none of the Senate except stating my pretensions to the two members for this State & a Short Letter to Col^l Grayson — Now my Dear Sir I know your disposition to Serve me & I have therefore been thus full not only that I might Solicit your Interest in whatever way you think best, but also that you will be so Obliging as to point out to me any measures that you think I had best pursue either with the President or the Members of the Senate to Strengthen my pretensions and I beg leave to Observe that I have not perhaps made the full use which I ought of the State in which my public Accounts now are nor of my past Services during the war. But I have so fully experienced your friendship that I repose myself on you — I supplied Capt. M^cCurdy's Company to york town and shall do the same for Capt. Ferguson Company which marches tomorrow & Shall then make up my Accounts and write you in your Official Character with them. — M[rs] Biddle joins me in best Compliments to M[r] Knox — I am Sir with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your mo: obd^t & very hum^ble ser^vt Clement Biddle [Philadelphia 29 June 1789 / Clement Biddle / [undecipherable]]