To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 27 September 1790
From George Washington
Mount Vernon Septr. 27th 1790.
sir
Mr. John Cogdell having resigned his appointment as Collector of the port of George town in south Carolina, I have to request that you will make enquiry respecting a proper person to succeed him.
Mr. Corbin Braxton having also resigned his appointment as Surveyor of the ports of Richmond and Manchester—Colonel Heth1 informs me that he has nominated Mr. Z. Rowland2 to do the duties of the office until another appointment is made. Colo. Heth’s letter together with one from Colonel Griffin3 on the same subject, are herewith transmitted.
I enclose to you, a letter from Mr. Thaddeus Burr4 to Colonel Humphreys,5 recommendatory of Capt. John Maltbee6 to the command of a revenue Cutter, and a recommendation of Capt. Montgomery7 by some Citizens of Philadelphia, to a similar station. These papers are not intended to influence your opinion in favor of these persons farther than as they may serve to form a comparison of their merits with other candidates.
I am, sir, Yr. most Obt. Servant
Go. Washington
LC, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1. William Heth, collector of customs at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia.
2. Zachariah Rowland.
3. Samuel Griffin was a member of the House of Representatives from Virginia, 1789–1791.
4. Burr was a Connecticut legislator and merchant.
5. David Humphreys of Connecticut had been a lieutenant colonel and an aide-de-camp to Washington during the American Revolution. Following the Revolution he devoted his energies to diplomacy, and in 1790 Washington appointed him as a special agent in England, Spain, and Portugal.
6. Jonathan Maltbie had served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolution.
7. James Montgomery.