To George Washington from John Cochran, 1 August 1793
From John Cochran
N. York August 1st 1793
Sir
I have been again attacked with a Paralytick stroke, which has untill this period, rendered me incapable to discharge the duties of my office—I am now recovering very fast, and the public business is no longer suspended. A very close attention to business for the future, will however, probably, be inconsistent with a perfect reestablishment of my health, and prevent me from taking more exercise, and enjoying a mind more free from care—For these reasons, I wish to resign, provided the appointment of my son James to the office which I hold, would meet with your approbation—With respect to its emoluments, it is the same thing which of us hold it—The same benevolent motives therefore, which governed, in appointing me to the office, will I flatter my self, induce the appointment of my son James.1 I am with the greatest respect and gratitude, your obedent and Humble Se[rvan]t
John Cochran
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. On John Cochran’s appointment as commissioner of loans for New York State, see Cochran to GW, 1 May 1789, and notes. James Cochran (1769–1848) studied and then practiced law after his graduation from Columbia College in 1788. He represented New York State in the 5th Congress, 1797–99, served as a regent of the University of the State of New York, 1796–1820, and was in the state senate, 1814–18. By the time his father wrote this letter, Peter R. Livingston, Abraham Lott, and Marinus Willett already had written GW to apply for the anticipated vacancy (Livingston to GW, 13 July, and note 2). Although John Cochran lived until 1807, Matthew Clarkson replaced him as commissioner in February 1795 (, 170–71).