George Washington Papers
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To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 11 April 1792

From Alexander Hamilton

[Philadelphia] April 11th 1792.

Mr Hamilton presents his respects to the President. Herewith are testimonials in favor of two Candidates for the Office of Treasurer of the Mint, Wm A. McCrea who has been mentioned by Mr Foster of the Senate,1 and James Abercrombie who is recommended by a number of respectable characters.2

LB, DLC:GW.

1Senator Theodore Foster wrote directly to GW on 2 April from Philadelphia that McCrea was “a Gentleman Suitable for filling the Office of Treasurer of the National Mint... I am well acquainted with Doctr McCrea, and am fully convinced of his Merit. of his Integrity, and his Abilities to discharge the Duties of the Office of Treasurer of the Mint, and as I beleive, he would make a good and faithful Officer, I could not resist the Inclination I felt, to serve him, as much as was in my Power, by recommending him to the Patronage of your Excellency, being willing to pledge myself and Property for his Fidelity and Good Conduct” (DLC:GW). For other recommendations of McCrea, see McCrea to GW, 27 Mar., n.2.

2James Abercrombie (1758–1841) graduated from the College of Philadelphia in 1776 and prepared for the Episcopalian ministry under the Rev. (later Bishop) William White (1748–1836) until 1780. He then decided to pursue a mercantile career. He was elected a member of the Philadelphia common council in 1792, and he became an officer of the Bank of the United States. After his unsuccessful attempt to obtain a position at the U.S. Mint, Abercrombie was ordained a deacon in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in December 1793 and became assistant minister of it and Christ Church in June 1794. Neither McCrea nor Abercrombie was appointed by GW, who nominated Tristram Dalton as treasurer of the U.S. Mint (see GW to the U.S. Senate, 3 May [second letter]; see also McCrea to GW, 9 April).

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