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Rh qualified candidates. From Virginia, the names most prominently mentioned were Edmund Pendleton, George Wythe, Arthur Lee and John Blair. Of his perplexity in choosing, Washington wrote to James Madison: "My solicitude for drawing the first characters of the Union into the Judiciary is such that my cogitations on the subject last night, after I parted with you have almost determined me, as well for the reason just mentioned, as to silence the clamors, or more properly soften the disappointment of smaller characters, to nominate Mr. Blair and Colonel Pendleton as Associate and District Judge, and Mr. Edmund Randolph for the Attorney General, trusting to their acceptance. Mr. Randolph I would prefer in this character to any person I am acquainted with of not superior abilities, from habits of intimacy with him. Mr. Pendleton could not, I fear, discharge, and in that case I am sure would not undertake, the duties of an Associate under the present form of the Act. But he may be able to fulfill those of the District. The salary, I believe, is greater than what he now has; and he would see, or it