To George Washington from David Lenox, 27 May 1789
From David Lenox
New York 27th May 1789
Sir
I came to this City to present myself to your Excellency and to add to the number of applicants for Office, in doing this it is far from my intention to apply for an Office which has been held by another, in arranging the Offices under the new Government new ones will arise particularly in the Customs and to be honored with your nomination would be extremely flattering to me—As I am about returning to Philadelphia I shall rest the merit of my pretensions entirely on your former knowledge of me (if in the multiplicity of your affairs I may not be forgot) and a reference to my present Character to any of the Senators or Representatives from the State of Pennsylvania should your Excellency incline to take that trouble—I have the honor to be with the utmost respect Your Excellencys most Obedt Servant
David Lenox
ALS, DLC:GW.
David Lenox (c.1754–1828) of Philadelphia served as a captain in the 3d Pennsylvania during the Revolution. Taken prisoner at Fort Washington in 1776, he was exchanged in May 1778. From 1778 to 1779 he was aide-de-camp with the rank of major to Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne. In December 1793 GW appointed Lenox United States marshal for the district of Pennsylvania and in March 1797 named him “Agent of the United States of America, to reside in the kingdom of Great Britain, pursuant to the act for the relief and protection of American seamen” ( 1:143, 144, 229, 232).