To George Washington from John Blair, 13 October 1789
From John Blair
Williamsburg, Octr 13th 1789.
Sir
The honourable commission which you have been pleased to offer me in the service of the United States came to hand the tenth instt accompanied by your very polite letter, & the laws which have passed relative to the office.1
When I considered the great importance, as well as the arduous nature of the duties, I could not but entertain some fears, that I might find them well adapted neither to my domestic habits, my bodily constitution, nor my mental capacity; in every other respect, the office promises me a very desirable situation, for which I know not how sufficiently to declare my gratitude.
I have determined to make an experiment, whether I may be able to perform the requisite services, with some degree of satisfaction, in respect both to the Public and my self; and I request permission to assure you, Sir, that if any extrinsic circumstance were necessary to induce my acceptance of the appointment, I could find none so powerful as a wish of the man, who possesses the love & veneration of every American, the respect & admiration of all the world. I have the honour to be, with more deference & esteem than I know how to express, Worthy Sir, Your most obedient & affectionate servant,
John Blair
ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters.
John Blair (1732–1800) attended the College of William and Mary and studied law at the Middle Temple in London. Before the Revolution he represented the college in the House of Burgesses and served as clerk of the council. In 1776 he became a member of the Virginia privy council, in 1777 one of the judges of the general court, and in 1780 a judge of the high court of chancery. Blair represented Virginia at the Constitutional Convention and was a member of the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788, where he supported adoption of the Constitution.
1. GW’s letter to Blair offering him one of the associate judgeships on the Supreme Court has not been found, but it was undoubtedly similar to those sent to the other appointees on the court. See, for example, GW to Robert Hanson Harrison, 28 Sept. 1789, and GW to John Rutledge, 29 Sept. 1789. Blair held his position on the court until 1796.