Sir:
Your letter of the 20th instant I have received. Whatever may be my private opinion with respect to the power of the court of Admiralty in appointing a Marshall it is unnecessary to inform you as the General Assembly have exercised the power of appointing, and seem by the law passed last session to intend continuing to do so, it will be my duty to commissionate such as they appoint. In the present case, where the Marshall is dead I have power with the advice of the Council to issue a temporary Comn. which I shall do if the Council give such advice. Your letter I shall lay before the Board on its first meeting this I hardly expect will
happen until the meeting of the assembly, which is the day to which the Council stand adjourned and I believe it will be difficult for me to get the members together sooner. No advocate for the State has been appointed, nor has any gentleman ever been recommended to me for that office. I am Sir, your mo. ob. Servt.