To George Washington from Richard Marshall Scott, 15 June 1789
From Richard Marshall Scott
Alexandria 15th June 1789
It is with diffidence that I become one of the very many applicants which address your Excellency in your Official Character, but the assurances Communicated to me by my friends here that I shall be excused for this intrusion induces me to proceed.
I take the liberty of enclosing a recommendation from the most respectable merchants and Inhabitants of this Town expressive of their approbation of my Character and Capacity to fill any office in the Impost department,1 This paper with an appeal to the opinion of my friends Col. R. H. Lee & Mr R. B. Lee at New York I trust will evidence to your Excellency that my Capacity is not unworthy the notice of the Constitutional nomination in which you act Such a Considerable part.
The long & faithfull Service of my friend Mr Charles Lee under the State authority in the naval department when undivided, now that it becomes divided entitles him to the best office, his merit being paramount to mine I do not wish to Step forward in opposition to his views. I observe in the bill proposed for the Collection of the Duties on Goods imported, that naval officers Collectors and Controllers are to be appointed, And Should your Excellency in your wisdom See fit to appoint me to the charge of either of these offices on this River Pato[mac]k I shall ever greatfully acknowledge the bounty Confered on me, assuring your Excellency that I Shall be able to give very ample Security for the faithfull discharge of the duties or trust of any office which may be Committed to my Care. I have the Honor to Subscribe myself Your Excellencys Most Devoted & Most Hble Servant
Richd Marshall Scott
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Scott’s enclosure, dated 15 June, was signed by twenty-seven of Alexandria’s leading merchants and businessmen, among them John Muir, Josiah Watson, William Herbert, George Gilpin, William Hartshorne, and William Wilson. The signers recommended Scott as “Capable and worthy of any Office in The Impost department” and attested that Scott “for six years past has been and at present is, employed as deputy to the Naval officers of South Potomack, during which period and our acquaintance with him, he has uniformly discharged the Dutys of his trust, with Honor to himself, and entire Satisfaction to all Concerned in the Commercial line, and, that he possesses a good moral Character” (DLC:GW). When the customs appointments were made in August 1789, Charles Lee received the collectorship at Alexandria, but Scott was named collector for “Dumfries, including Newport” ( 1:14).