George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0323

To George Washington from Thomas Harwood, 28 December 1789

From Thomas Harwood

Annapolis Decemr 28th 1789.

Sir.

Having served as Continental Loan Officer in the State of Maryland, during the Revolution to this present time, and occasionally receiver of the Money appropriated by this State to Congress, and presuming that under the present Government, in the Arrangement of the Business of the United States such an Office or one similar to it may be necessary; and flattering myself with having the Approbation of Congress and those under whom I acted in the Business of that Office, beg leave to Solicit your favor and attention; and a certainty of doing the best in my Power may be depended on in the Duties of that, or any other Office that I may be thought Worthy of.

My Brother Mr Benjamin Harwood who has done Business with me during the time of my being in Office,1 and who acted under Mr Morris, while he was Financier, as the Continental Receiver is at present in no Office, he is well Qualified for any Business, and should he succeed to an Appointment, I am sure he would give entire satisfaction; for information respecting my Brother and myself, I beg leave to refer you to Mr Morris, the late Board of Treasury and the Senators and Delegates from this State, who have a perfect knowledge of us. With Sentiments of the Highest Esteem, I am Sir Your most Obedient and very Humble Servant

Tho. Harwood

ALS, DLC:GW.

Thomas Harwood (1743–1804) was a wealthy and influential Annapolis merchant. Appointed treasurer for Maryland’s Western Shore by the Maryland legislature in 1775, he held the post until 1804. He served under Robert Morris and the Board of Treasury as Maryland commissioner of loans from 1777 and was reappointed under the new government in 1790 (DHFC description begins Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds. Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America, March 4, 1789-March 3, 1791. 20 vols. to date. Baltimore, 1972–. description ends , 2:89).

1Benjamin Harwood, also an Annapolis merchant, was appointed receiver of Continental taxes in June 1780. He succeeded his brother as commissioner of loans for Maryland in December 1792 (Executive Journal, description begins Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America: From the commencement of the First, to the termination of the Nineteenth Congress. Vol. 1. Washington, D.C., 1828. description ends 1:126).

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