To George Washington from John Lynch, 10 August 1793
From John Lynch
Philada 10th August 1793
The Petition of John Lynch of Baltimore Town late a Major in the Maryland line of the Continental Army—Most Respectfully Sheweth—That Your Petitioner from the Commencement, to the Conclusion of Hostilities, in our late Glorious Revolution, followed the Orders of his Beloved Commander in Chief, and bore an Active part in the Cause of America, As well in its hardships, as its Triumphs; during An Arduous Conflict, to Obtain our present respectable rank, Among the nations of the Earth.
That Your Petitioner, on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, Was recommended by Charles Carroll of Carrolton, And John Eager Howard, to your Excellency, As a Suitable person to be Appointed Surveyor to the port of Baltimore, to which Office Coll Robert Ballard was Chosen, Who Acted in that Capacity Untill Thursday last the 8th Instant When he departed this Life.1
That Your Petitioner, having been Employd by General Otho Williams, As a Custom house Officer, whereby he has become Acquainted with the duties of a Surveyor; humbly Solicits the Appointment, And respectfully Tenders Mr Charles Carroll and Coll Howard As Guarantees for his Faithfull discharge of the Office.2 And Your Petitioner As in duty bound Will pray
John Lynch
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. On John Lynch’s military service during the Revolutionary War and for his application in 1789 for an appointment as the surveyor of customs at Baltimore, including the 1789 letters of recommendation from Carroll and Howard, see Lynch to GW, 21 July 1789, and source note and notes 1, 3. On the current competition for this same position following the death of Robert Ballard, see David Plunket to GW, 7 Aug. 1793, n.1.
2. Lynch worked as a “Measurer,” under the supervision of Otho H. Williams, the collector of customs for Baltimore ( 1:61). No current letters of recommendation for Lynch have been found. Carroll and Howard, however, each wrote GW on 13 Aug. to recommend John Kilty for the appointment, and Howard also assisted Samuel Dodge with his application by writing GW on 10 Aug. 1793. Lynch also wrote Alexander Hamilton a letter of application on 16 Aug. 1793 (, 15:248). On GW’s appointment of Daniel Delozier to the surveyor’s position, see Delozier to GW, 8 Aug. 1793, n.3.