To George Washington from Josiah Parker, 3 March 1791
From Josiah Parker
Philadelphia March 3rd 1791
Sir
The Excise Bill being passed with a weighty provission for you to appoint a Number of Officers for carrying it into effect it may be my duty to nominate persons in the district of the United States I represent worthy of carrying into effect the Law, consequently I shall take the liberty of doing so, at the same time Confess that I am not authorised by either of the Characters or any one in the district to apply for an appointment under the above Law but as I deem the Characters I shall name more proper than any others in the different Counties I shall take the liberty to name them as follows.
to the Military department I take the liberty of recommending Lemuel Riddick Esqr. as an Officer of Nansemond County. to the Secretary of War last session I mentiond him in terms that I supposed would have insured success.1
beleive me sir I have no personal views to gratify in those nominations, having no relation or Connection amongst them. with every Sentiment of respect and Esteem I have the honor to be your most Obedient and very humble servant
J: Parker
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. None of the men mentioned by Parker received appointments in the excise service from GW. In the organization of the excise bureaucracy, the appointment of county collectors was left to the state supervisors. Thomas Newton received the appointment as surveyor for the fourth survey of Virginia, which included the southeastern counties Parker represented in Congress (see Executive Order, 15 Mar. 1791).