To George Washington from George Plater, 20 November 1789
From George Plater
Sotterley Novr 20th 1789
Dear Sir
Mr Johnson, who was appointed Judge in the federal Court for the State of Maryland, having declined to accept1—I hope I shall be excused for taking the Liberty of recommending to your Excellency Mr John Allen Thomas, an old practitioner of Law, & who has frequently served his Country both in the Cabinet & the field2—You are not a Stranger to him, & therefore it becomes unnecessary for me to say more than that I am, with the highest Consideration, Yr Excellency’s most obt hble Servt
Geo: Plater
ALS, DLC:GW.
For background to GW’s Judiciary appointments, see his letter to the United States Senate submitting nominations for judicial posts, 24 Sept. 1789.
2. John Allen (Alleyne) Thomas (1734–c.1797) of Talbot County was a prominent Maryland attorney who had served in the state legislature in the 1770s and 1780s and held several minor judicial appointments in St. Mary’s County. He received no federal appointment. Thomas was also recommended to GW by William Fitzhugh in a letter of 4 Dec. 1789 as “respectable in the profession of the Law, and very deservedly I am persuaded in high Estimation for his Integrity” (DLC:GW).