To George Washington from Benjamin Goodhue, 22 July 1789
From Benjamin Goodhue
New York July 22d 1789
Mr Goodhue, having had the honour, on the 30th of June of recommending to the President of the United States certain persons as suitable to fill the offices in the revenue in that part of the Massachusetts, which he more immediately represents; and not being then so sufficiently informed of the particular Offices, in which they might most beneficialy be employed; has since that time with Mr Dalton who comes from the same County in the Massachusetts attended to the subject, and would again humbly beg leave to recommend to the President of the United States, the following arrangement, as best suited to promote the general good, and consisting of such persons, whom We are well assured from our personal Knowledge of their abilities and integrity, will fill the several Offices with reputation and give great satisfaction to our Constituents.1
AD, DLC:GW.
1. Goodhue appended to his letter a list of recommended customs officers for the following Massachusetts ports: Joseph Hiller as collector, William Pickman as naval officer, and Bartholomew Putnam as surveyor for Salem, Josiah Batchelder as surveyor for Beverly, and Jeremiah Staniford as surveyor for Ipswich, all in the district of Salem; Stephen Cross as collector, Jonathan Titcomb as naval officer, and Michael Hodge as surveyor for the district of Newburyport; Epes Sargent as collector and Thomas Forster as surveyor for the district of Gloucester; and either Richard Harris or Stephen Sewall as collector for the district of Marblehead.