To George Washington from Francis Mentges, 21 April 1789
From Francis Mentges
Philadelphia the 21 April 1789
Sir
May I without blame or without cause of Offence entreat your Excellencys Attention in a moment of Leisure to the situation of One of your Old Officers, who has a strong Disposition to serve his Country, but who has hitherto from Various causes failed in his endeavours to Obtain a permanent Appointment,1 with the highest Esteem I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys Most Ob. humble Servt
F. Mentges
ALS, DLC:GW.
Francis Mentges (d. 1805), who was born in Deux-Ponts, France, immigrated to America before the Revolution and apparently was for some time a dancing master in Philadelphia. Mentges served as adjutant of a Pennsylvania musket battalion in 1776 and as a major with the 11th Pennsylvania regiment from 1776 until July 1778 when he transferred to the 7th Pennsylvania. He was lieutenant colonel of the 5th Pennsylvania from October 1778 to the end of the war. In 1786 Mentges became inspector general of the Pennsylvania militia and served for several years as adjutant general of Pennsylvania. He was an active member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati.
1. On 1 July 1789 Mentges petitioned GW for either a recommendation or an appointment to any vacancy in the new War Department, in the military of the United States, or in the militia establishment of any particular state (DLC:GW).