To George Washington from William Deakins, Jr., 7 July 1794
From William Deakins, Jr.
Geo. Town [Md.] July 7th 1794
Sir
Mr Craigh left Town the day after you were here, which prevented my Making the Necessary Enquiry of him respecting Mr Scott,1 but I have had Conversation with Mr Stoddert who is pretty Intimate with Mr Scott. I find he thinks him Clever in his profession, & a Man of Industery & affiable Manners—when Mr Craigh returns from Port Tobo I will converse with him, & Write you2—I am with Great Respect Sir Your Obt Servt
Will. Deakins Junr
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. GW passed through Georgetown en route from Mount Vernon to Philadelphia on 3 July. Deakins evidently had been asked to make enquiries about Gustavus Scott’s suitability as a commissioner for the Federal City. Edmund Randolph wrote Scott on 18 Aug. to offer him a post on the board of commissioners. He accepted, and GW signed a commission dated 23 Aug., which Randolph forwarded to Scott in a letter of 26 August. Scott took up his duties on 15 Sept. (DNA: RG 59, Domestic Letters; DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Proceedings, 1791-1802). "Mr. Craigh" may have been Dr. James Craik or his son William Craik.
2. No subsequent letter from Deakins about Scott has been found.