To George Washington from Daniel Benezet, 21 February 1791
From Daniel Benezet
Philadelphia February 21st 1791.
Sir,
At the Request of my Son Daniel Benezet Junr, who has desired the inclosed Petition to be forwarded;1 I take the Liberty of recommending him as a suitable Person for Inspector of Excise, he has been vigilant & careful in his present Office: for his Capacity & prudent Conduct, I beg to refer you to Messrs Robert Morris, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Thomas Sinnickson & Jonathan Elmer, I have the honor to be Your most obedient humble Servant
Danl Benezet
LS, DLC:GW.
Daniel Benezet (1723–1797), a Philadelphia dry-goods merchant, was the son of Philadelphia reformer and antislavery advocate Anthony Benezet; GW had appointed his son, Daniel Benezet, Jr., collector of customs at Great Egg Harbor, N.J., in August 1790 (see Daniel Benezet, Jr., to GW, April 1790).
1. The enclosed petition of Daniel Benezet, Jr., dated 29 Jan. 1791, reads: “The Petition of Daniel Benezet Junior resident in the County of G[l]oucester in the State of New Jersey Humbly sheweth That Your Petitioner had the Honor of being Commissioned Collector of the Customs for the District of Great Eggharbour in the said State which Office he has diligently & faithfully executed. Your Petitioner with all Deference solicits the further Honor of being appointed one of the Inspectors of the Excise for sd State” (DLC:GW). GW later appointed him revenue inspector for the port of Great Egg Harbor. This appointment was sent to the Senate on 6 Mar. 1792 and confirmed the next day ( 103; GW to the U.S. Senate, 6 Mar. 1792). Benezet’s service was less than outstanding. Oliver Wolcott informed Hamilton on 24 June 1794 that Benezet “has made no return to the Treasury since January 1792” despite several letters “to which he has neglected to pay any attention” ( 16:523).