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Sale 82
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Lot 712
Washington, George (1732-1799) 1st President of the United States (1789-97); Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Autograph letter signed ("Go: Washington"), 2pp, on watermarked, laid paper, 10 x 8", with integral blank leaf, Mount Vernon, January 20, 1799. To Mr. James Washington, a native of The Hague in Holland and a career soldier in Europe, who was trying to trade on his distant relationship with George Washington to obtain a military appointment in the American Army. James Washington had met John Quincy Adams, then serving as minister to Berlin (1797-1801), and entreated him to deliver a letter to George Washington.
Washington acknowledges the likely relationship, then frankly writes that a foreigner has very little chance of obtaining a position unless he has some special skill lacking among Americans. In part: "Through the goodness of Mr. Adams, the American Minister at Berlin, I am indebted for the safe conveyance of your letter…and through the same medium I have the honour to present this acknowledgment of it. There can be but little doubt, Sir, of our descending from the same stock, as the branches of it proceeded from the same country. At what time your ancesters left England is not mentioned. Mine came to America nearly one hundred & fifty years ago.
The regular course of application for military appointments, is to the President of the United States, through the Secretary of War. But it would be deceptious, not to apprise you before hand, that it does not accord with the policy of this Government to bestow offices--Civil or Military--upon Foreigners to the exclusion of our own Citizens; - first because there is an animated zeal in the latter to serve their Country; - and secondly, because the former, seldon nontent with the rank they sustained in the service of their own country, look for higher appointment in this; - when bestowed, unless there is obvious cause to justify the measure, is pregnant with discontent - and therefore is not often practiced; - Except in those branches of the Military science which relate to Engineers, and Gunnery: for in these our Military establishment is defective, and men men [sic] of known and acknowledged abilities with ample testimonials thereof, would be certainly encouraged."
A copy of James Washington's letter (written in French) to George Washington is included, as well as an English translation. In 1799, James was appointed a lieutenant in the Dutch brigade of the Prince of Orange in the English service. In 1802, after the Peace of Amiens, he entered the service of Bavaria and rose to become Lieutenant General and Aid-de-Camp to His Majesty Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria.
Fitzpatrick, XXXVII, pp. 97-98. Published in Sparks, ed, The Writings of George Washington.
Estimated Value $25,000-UP.
Joseph L. Baldwin Collection; purchased from Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc., June 3, 1980. Highly Important American Historical Documents - Autograph Letters, & Manuscripts; the Property of the Elsie O. & Philip D. Sang Foundation, - Part Four Sale. Sale 4387, Lot Number 1038.
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