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WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Autograph letter signed ("G:Washington") as President, to Colonel Edward Carrington, marked "Private" at the top of page 1, Philadelphia, 23 December 1795. 1 1/4 pages, 4to, 230 x 189mm. (9 1/4 x 7 1/2 in.), integral address leaf in Washington's hand, lightly foxed, partial separation at central fold, seal hole neatly patched, a few other defects, otherwise in good condition.
細節
WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Autograph letter signed ("G:Washington") as President, to Colonel Edward Carrington, marked "Private" at the top of page 1, Philadelphia, 23 December 1795. 1 1/4 pages, 4to, 230 x 189mm. (9 1/4 x 7 1/2 in.), integral address leaf in Washington's hand, lightly foxed, partial separation at central fold, seal hole neatly patched, a few other defects, otherwise in good condition.
THE FRUSTRATION OF CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Colonel Carrington had written Washington on 18 November recommending Colonel James Innes of Virginia for Associate Justice, adding "General Marshall and myself have had a private consultation on the subject." President Washington responds: "Receive, I pray you, my thanks for your obliging favor of the 6th Inst[ant], and for other unacknowledged lett[e]r[s] of antecedant date. As, except in a single instance, they contained information only, nothing more was necesary than to know they had got safe to hand -- this they did, and I feel myself much obliged in your attention to my request; as I always shall be for such communications as you may think interesting or satisfactory for me to be informed of while I remain in my present situation. It has been expected that the Senate would put their veto on the appointment of Mr. [John] R[utledge] -- and so it has happened. This induced me to delay the nomination of a successor to [Associate Justice of the Supreme Court] Mr. [John] Blair; and as the department of war is yet unfilled, I am waiting (expected) information...in order to make a general arrangement on either distribution of these offices, before I decide upon either separately..." Fitzpatrick, 34:404.
When Timothy Pickering resigned in December as Secretary of War, Washington was faced with a difficult appointment. James McHenry, Washington's fourth choice, was ultimately confirmed. Carrington (1749-1810), an influential Virginia Federalist and unofficial advisor to Washington, served in the Continental Army and is best known for his duty as Quarter Master General, a position in which he excelled. In fact, "when the prospect of war with France loomed in 1798 'the War Department, urged on by Washington and Hamilton, sought,'" once again, Carrington's services as Quarter Master General (Boatner, p. 186). Carrington later served as a Virginia delegate to Congress and as the foreman of the jury that acquitted Aaron Burr of treason. In the end, despite his high connections, Colonel Innes was not appointed.
*This lot may be exempt from sales tax, as set forth in the Sales Tax Notice at the front of the catalogue.
THE FRUSTRATION OF CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Colonel Carrington had written Washington on 18 November recommending Colonel James Innes of Virginia for Associate Justice, adding "General Marshall and myself have had a private consultation on the subject." President Washington responds: "Receive, I pray you, my thanks for your obliging favor of the 6th Inst[ant], and for other unacknowledged lett[e]r[s] of antecedant date. As, except in a single instance, they contained information only, nothing more was necesary than to know they had got safe to hand -- this they did, and I feel myself much obliged in your attention to my request; as I always shall be for such communications as you may think interesting or satisfactory for me to be informed of while I remain in my present situation. It has been expected that the Senate would put their veto on the appointment of Mr. [John] R[utledge] -- and so it has happened. This induced me to delay the nomination of a successor to [Associate Justice of the Supreme Court] Mr. [John] Blair; and as the department of war is yet unfilled, I am waiting (expected) information...in order to make a general arrangement on either distribution of these offices, before I decide upon either separately..." Fitzpatrick, 34:404.
When Timothy Pickering resigned in December as Secretary of War, Washington was faced with a difficult appointment. James McHenry, Washington's fourth choice, was ultimately confirmed. Carrington (1749-1810), an influential Virginia Federalist and unofficial advisor to Washington, served in the Continental Army and is best known for his duty as Quarter Master General, a position in which he excelled. In fact, "when the prospect of war with France loomed in 1798 'the War Department, urged on by Washington and Hamilton, sought,'" once again, Carrington's services as Quarter Master General (Boatner, p. 186). Carrington later served as a Virginia delegate to Congress and as the foreman of the jury that acquitted Aaron Burr of treason. In the end, despite his high connections, Colonel Innes was not appointed.
*This lot may be exempt from sales tax, as set forth in the Sales Tax Notice at the front of the catalogue.