To George Washington from John Jacob Ulrich Rivardi, 12 March 1795
From John Jacob Ulrich Rivardi
Norfolk. March the 12th 1795
Sir.
Permit me to express to your Excellency my warmest thanks for the appointment which you have honored me with; Such a distinguished token of confidence from you flatters me more than if it had been conferred by the greatest Potentate of Europe. I shall always be proud of Serving under your Excellency’s auspices & hope on your indulgence respecting Some circumstances, which in my present Situation I was forced to mention in a letter to the Secretary of War before I fix on So important a Step as that of closing with his proposals.1
I shall intirely abide by your Excellency’s decision to which I took the liberty of referring. With Sentiments of the most respectfull consideration & of heartfelt gratitude—I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Humble & Most Obedient Servant
J. J. Ulrich Rivardi
ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters.
1. Rivardi’s letter to Secretary of War Timothy Pickering has not been identified, but Pickering’s letter to GW of 23 March probably is a summary of it: “Major Rivardi requests that the inclosed letter may be laid before you. He wishes another appointment—of Inspector of fortifications, ordinance & military stores—if such an office were in the President’s disposal. If not, he will accept the Majority in the Corps of artillery: but then asks the gratification of 400 dollars, without encumbering his pay” (ALS, DLC:GW). Rivardi accepted the appointment as a major of artillery.