To George Washington from William Jackson, 5 November 1792
From William Jackson
Philadelphia, 5 Nov. 1792: Declines “the honor of your nomination to the important office of Adjutant General of the Army of the United States.”1 Jackson assured GW “that no other consideration but an engagement of the heart, involving the happiness of a most amiable Woman, who is, as she ought to be, peculiarly dear to me, could prevent” acceptance of this position.2
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. For other candidates for the position of adjutant general, see Knox to GW, 28 Aug., 15 Sept. 1792, and note 11.
2. Jackson, a Revolutionary War veteran, had served as GW’s secretary from 1789 until early 1792 (see GW to Jackson, 26 Dec. 1791, and note 1). George and Martha Washington attended Jackson’s marriage to Elizabeth Willing of Philadelphia on 11 Nov. 1795.