To George Washington from John Parish, 20 August 1794
From John Parish
Hamburg [Germany] the 20th August 1794
Sir
It was not for want of inclination that I have defered untill now, making my Acknowledgement for the honour which You have been pleased to confer on me, in the Appointment of Consul for the united States, I requested of my Friend Mr Morris to take an Opportunity of testifying to Your Excellency how Sensible I was of the preference Shewn me in this Nomination, and I hope the publick will have every reason to be Satisfied with the Attention which is paid to their Concerns here—my highest Wish is to be deserving of Your Countenance & Protection. I have the honor to Subscribe myself most respectfully Sir Your most obedt humble Se.
J. Parish
ALS, DNA: RG 59, Consular Despatches, Hamburg.
John Parish (1742-1829), a Hamburg merchant, was appointed U.S. vice-consul for Hamburg in 1790, but he declined the position as inadequate to the duties (Parish to Thomas Jefferson, 21 Dec. 1790, Jefferson Papers, 18:344-45). After the post was upgraded, Parish was appointed consul on 20 Feb. 1793, and he served in that post until 1796. Probably with this letter, Parish also sent to GW some beef (see the entry of 8 Dec. 1794 in Household Accounts).