George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Robert Collings, 2 December 1790

From Robert Collings

Philada 2nd December 1790

Sir

I beg leave to solicit your Excellency for an appointment onboard of one of the Cutters that are to be fitted out for the Protection of the Revenue. My Character is well known to the officers of the Customs of this Port, as well as to the Gentlemen who have honord me with their Recommendation. with the Highest respect I am Sir, your most humble Servant

Robt Collings

ALS, DLC:GW.

Robert Collings (Collins; born c.1746) served as an officer in the Pennsylvania and Maryland navies during the Revolutionary War and lived in Philadelphia in 1790 (Claghorn, Naval Officers of the American Revolution, description begins Charles E. Claghorn. Naval Officers of the American Revolution: A Concise Biographical Dictionary. Metuchen, N.J., 1988. description ends 67; Jackson, Pennsylvania Navy, description begins John W. Jackson. The Pennsylvania Navy, 1775–1781: The Defense of the Delaware. New Brunswick, N.J., 1974. description ends 285). Command of the revenue cutter for Pennsylvania went to James Montgomery (see GW to Alexander Hamilton, 20 Sept. 1790); whether Collings received a subordinate appointment has not been determined. On the revenue cutter service established under the provisions of the Collection Act of 4 Aug. 1790, see Alexander Hamilton to GW, 10 Sept. 1790.

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