To George Washington from Joshua Mersereau, 13 July 1789
From Joshua Mersereau
New York July 13: 1789
May it Please Your Excellency,
I have remaind here, by the advice of my friends, in hopes that I might be fortunate Enough, to have Some employment, in the Custom house Department.1
I Therefore flatter my self, that it will not be Deemd improper, that I submit (this) My Application, for the Office of Surveyor, of the Port of New York To your Excellency, for Consideration—hoping, it will meet your approbation, and Tend to the Public Good.2 I remain with the Greatest respect and Veneration—Your Excellencys Most Obedt Hum: Servt
Joshua Mersereau
ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters.
1. In June 1789 Mersereau had evidently intended to leave New York. See his letter to GW, 10 June 1789.
2. Mersereau’s application was supported by a letter of 20 June 1789 from Clement Biddle and Thomas Mifflin recommending Mersereau, whose “Patriotism Ability and Services” are well known, for a post in the customs (DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters).