1. William Hill Wells (1769–1829) was a Delaware lawyer, businessman, and extensive landholder. In 1799 he was elected to the Senate as a Federalist to fill the vacancy left by Joshua Clayton’s death, and served until 1804, when he resigned. When his successor, James A. Bayard, was appointed a commissioner to negotiate peace with Great Britain in 1813, Wells returned to the Senate in his place (Encyclopedia of Delaware [Santa Barbara, Calif., 2001], 327; Bernard L. Herman, The Stolen House [Charlottesville, Va., 1992], 66, 75; Senate Exec. Proceedings description begins Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America (3 vols.; Washington, 1828). description ends , 2:346, 390).

2. The Senate resolution of 14 June referred Jonathan Russell’s nomination as minister to Sweden, along with Robert H. Goldsborough’s motion “that it is inexpedient at this time to send a Minister Plenipotentiary to Sweden,” to a committee consisting of Wells, William Branch Giles, and Rufus King, “with instruction respectfully to confer with the President of the United States upon the subject of the said nomination, and report thereon” (Annals of Congress description begins Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States … (42 vols.; Washington, 1834–56). description ends , 13th Cong., 1st sess., 94–95).