Autograph Letter Signed

This attorney and gentleman farmer served Maryland as member of the House of Delegates and as representative to the Second Congress (1791-93); his cousin was Philip Barton Key, uncle to Francis Scott Key. ALS, 1p (lettersheet), 8" X 10", Chaptico, MD, 1 March 1809. Addressed to General Samuel Smith (1752-1839, long-time Maryland senator and representative). Near fine. The former Maryland representative asks the senator from his state help in "procuring for the bearer my Nephew Richard Egerton an appointment either in the Army or Navy -- he is a young man of great firmness -- and has a worthy Republican Father -- your friendly assistance to promote the views of this young Man will be held in greatfull recollection by me." He goes on: "We hear the Embargo goes off the 4th Int. -- I lament it -- & can only attribute the change to a wish of the Friends to the new administration -- to relieve it in some measure from the clamour of a wicked minority." The embargo referred to is the Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 enacted near the end of President Jefferson's administration, sn effort to harm the British and French economies by lifting all embargoes on American ships except those bound for these two countries; not only was it impossible to enforce, but it harmed the U.S. economy and helped lead to the War of 1812. Attractively penned in brown ink and unusual.