To George Washington from Abraham Baldwin, 18 February 1794
From Abraham Baldwin
Philadelphia 18th Feby 1794
Sir
The office of Marshal in the district of Georgia being vacant by the death of Majr Forsyth, I have been requested to submit to your consideration the names of the following persons as candidates for that office.1
In Savannah and its vicinity
John Berrien
Richard
Carnes
Samuel Hammond
In Augusta and its vicinity
Amasa Jackson
Philip Clayton James
Mason Simmons
Daniel Gaines
Nicholas Bugg
George Hull
The original letters on this subject I have not thought it necessary to transmit, and have only to add that the Candidates are all personally known to me,2 and I shall be ready to give any information in my power respecting either of them, should other information not be sufficient to determine the President in the appointment.3 with the most profound respect, I am sir, your obedient humble servant
Abr. Baldwin
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Georgia congressman Abraham Baldwin was in Philadelphia to attend the first session of the Third Congress. On the death of Robert Forsyth, see n.1 of James Hendricks to GW, 15 January.
2. John Berrien currently was serving as surveyor of customs at the port of Savannah. Virginia native Samuel Hammond (1757–1842) was a veteran of the Continental army and settled in Savannah shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War. He was in the Georgia legislature, 1796–1800, and in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1803–5. After serving as governor of the Upper Louisiana Territory, 1805–24, he settled in South Carolina. He held a number of political positions in that state, including secretary of state, 1831–35. Revolutionary War veteran Amasa Jackson (1765–1824) was a Massachusetts native and currently a merchant in Augusta. For a letter of application from Daniel Gaines, see his letter to GW of 20 January.
3. Another list of potential candidates for consideration is at DLC:GW. This undated list reads:
“Persons Candidates for the Marshals Office District of Georgia
John Jenkins, bred in the Prothonotarys Office of Georgia under the British Government—took a Commission in the Georgia line at the commencement of the War & was active as an Aid of Genl Sumpter [Thomas Sumter] at its conclusion
Samuel Hammonds—An active Officer during the War, and Lt. Col. of a State Corps, which distinguished itself at Eaton [Eutaw Springs, S.C.]. Genl [Andrew] Pickens is well acquainted with this Gentleman.
Amasa Jackson An Officer in the Massachusets line during the War—& a Man of business
Thos E. Dorsey—An Officer of Maryland during the War in the Dragoon Service—bred to the law.
Richd Carnes—Father to the Representative in Congress [Thomas Petters Carnes] and a member of the Legislature of the State
Daniel Gaines—Formerly of Virginia, now a Resident of Washington in Georgia—Some of the Virginia members, must be well acquainted with him.
Jas M. Simmons—Formerly of Virginia, now of Augusta
Nicholas H. Bugg. Resident at Augusta
Chestly Bostick—do
The above are all Men of Reputation & most if not all of them capable of the duties of the Office—they are all Inhabitants of Georgia at present” (DLC:GW).
None of the men on these two lists received the appointment (see GW to U.S. Senate, 5 March 1794).