To George Washington from Joseph Anderson, 23 February 1791
From Joseph Anderson
Philadelphia 23rd Febry 1791
Sir,
When I last did myself the Honor of waiting upon your Excellency, on the Subject of my application now before You—Mr Lear inform’d me, that something had been Suggested to my disadvantage, respecting a transaction between Major Jaquet and myself relative to some Certificates.1
In Order to set that business in a proper point of View, I have for your Excellencys satisfaction Obtaind from Major Jaquet, a Certificate, Containing a Statement of the facts attending it—By which Your Excellency will perceive whether I deserve censure on the Subject.
Your Excellency will please to Observe, that Major Jaquet acknowledges, to have receivd from me, Miami Land Warrants, to the amount Of the Certificates I had receiv’d from him; at a price fixed by himself—On his seting the price on the warrants I thought it considerably Less than their real Value—He therefore agreed to allow me the equity of redemption at any period within three years, Upon the Terms, Contain’d in the Certificate—I have thought it adviseable to explain this part of the Certificate, in order, that your Excellency might clearly understand, the real principles of our Settlement.
It gives me very Sensible pain to have caus’d your Excellency so much trouble—But sundry circumstances having interven’d (since I first made application to Your Excellency,) which I cou’d not possibly foresee—I must crave your Excellencys forgiveness for my Obtrusions—And Permit me to assure you Sir, that I hold your approbation, of my Character, more Dear, than any Emoluments I might derive from the Office I Solicit.
Not having the Honor of being personably known to your Excellency—I feel myself imbarrass’d, in requesting the Special indulgence, of waiting on your Excellency in person.2
To your Excellency I look up as to a Common Parent, and have no doubt Sir, but what you will do me all the Justice, to which my Small claims to Merit may intitle me—I am Sir, with every Sentiment of the highest respect Your Excellencys Most Obedt Servt
Jos. Anderson
ALS, DLC:GW.
For the background to this letter, see Joseph Anderson to GW, 7 Jan. 1791.
1. Anderson’s long campaign for a judicial appointment in the Southwest Territory met an unforeseen obstacle when GW learned (from what source is not clear) that Anderson was delinquent in paying a debt to Peter Jaquett, a Delaware veteran who was himself seeking a federal post in Delaware (see Jaquett to GW, 18 April 1789). Upon learning that GW had been informed of the delinquency, Anderson rushed to Wilmington and quickly arranged with Jaquett to settle the obligation, obtaining from him a certificate indicating that an agreement to settle the obligation in a manner satisfactory to both parties had been made. This certificate, which Anderson enclosed in this letter to GW, has not been found. The document apparently dispelled any qualms GW may have had about the nomination of Anderson, which he transmitted to the Senate (see GW to the U.S. Senate, 25 Feb. 1791).
2. No reply to Anderson’s request for a personal interview with GW has been found. The two met, apparently for the first time, on 1 Mar. 1791 (see Anderson to GW, 1 Mar. 1791).