George Washington Papers

To George Washington from William Matthews, 9 February 1791

From William Matthews

Baltimore the 9th Feby 1791.

Sir

I humbly beg leave to present you a Paper signed by a few of my respectable Neighbours. It would not have been the least difficult for me to have Increased the Number but considering that it is well known with how much facility the General Benevolence is mov’d to Acts of this kind, I concluded to spare you Sir the trouble of a lenthy Scrawl and my self the pain of soliciting Suffrages that might be but little known, but permit me further to refer you to William Smith Esqr. of Maryland to whom I have the Honor of being well known. I have the Honor to be Sir With the most perfect Respect Your most obedient and Most humble Servant

Wm Matthews

ALS, DLC:GW.

William Matthews, a Baltimore merchant, received no appointment from GW. He should not be confused with a Cecil County, Md., planter-physician of the same name who served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Matthews enclosed a testimonial to his character and qualifications signed by several members of Baltimore mercantile community, including Otho H. Williams, Robert Smith, Josias Carvel Hall, David Plunket, David Stewart, Samuel Smith, Robert Gilmor, and Thorowgood Smith (DLC:GW). Matthews’s application was presented to GW by Maryland congressman William Smith in a letter of 18 Feb. 1791, in which he described Matthews as “as a man of merit, a friend to his Country, And warmly Attached to this government” (DLC:GW).

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