1. Peleg Coffin, Jr. (1756–1805) was a Massachusetts financier, insurer, and politician who had recently completed his one term in the U.S. House of Representatives (1793–95). Beginning in 1783, Coffin served several terms in both houses of the state legislature before his election as a pro-administration candidate to the Third Congress. He returned to the state legislature after leaving Congress and also served as state treasurer, 1797–1802. On 29 May, Tench Coxe had informed Wolcott about Coffin’s proposal to sell 10,000 gallons of oil, at $133⅓ per ton, to the federal government for use at lighthouses (see Coxe to Coffin, 29 May, in DNA: RG 26, Lighthouse Letters). Coffin’s offer, Coxe told Wolcott, “is the most favorable that has been made for this year. The advertisements have had a very extensive circulation and the proposals have been very few. It appears probable that the oil might be sold with ease for a profit, and that such another purchase could not be effected.” Coxe asked that the proposal be submitted to GW for his consideration (DNA: RG 26, Lighthouse Letters).

2. GW approved closing the proposal on 1 June (see JPP, description begins Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797. Charlottesville, Va., 1981. description ends 329).