To George Washington from James Watson, 24 April 1780
From James Watson
Hartford 24th Aprl 1780
May it Please Your Excellency
It is my duty to inform you that I am appointed by the Genl Assembly to procure the Rum & Hay Ordered by Congress to be furnished by this State,1 & am refered to your Excellency for directions where to place the Magazines2—There is an Issuing Comy in this Town who has Stores ready & convenient to receive the Rum; & keep it in Safety—& as it will be necessary to make some purchases immediately I shall deliver the Goods into his care ’till I am favored with your Excellency’s Orders in the case. I am with every Sentiment of Respect & Esteem Your Excellencys Most Obet & most Hume Sert
J. W. Watson3
ALS, DLC:GW.
James Watson (1750–1806), a Connecticut native, graduated from Yale in 1776 and served as lieutenant and then captain in the Continental army between May 1776 and May 1778. His appointment as purchasing commissary lasted only several months in 1780. Watson later moved to New York City, became a wealthy merchant, and engaged in state politics. He filled a vacancy in the U.S. Senate during the presidency of John Adams and remained a pronounced Federalist until his death.
1. See , 2:531; see also , 2:521–26.
2. For congressional supply assignments for each state and GW’s responsibility for selecting magazine locations, see JCC, 16:196–201; see also Samuel Huntington to GW, 29 Feb., and n.2.
3. Watson inexplicably, and almost certainly in error, signed his name with a middle initial.