To Alexander Hamilton from John Fitzgerald, 20 November 1793
From John Fitzgerald
Alexandria [Virginia] Novr. 20th. 1793
Sir!
The Surveyor of this District1 having some time ago sent in his resignation to the President and a few days since gone to live out of the District, I found myself under the necessity of making a temporary appointment, and have accordingly nominated Mr. Vincent Gray to act until your instructions arrive, which I flatter myself will not be disagreeable to you.
The President will of course have some conversation with you on the subject of filling up this vacancy. Mr. Gray has been strongly recommended for that purpose;2 as you must have a knowledge of his talents and assiduity for some years past, I shall only assure you, that, in my opinion, the appointment of him will not only tend to give general mercantile satisfaction here, but also to the stability and perhaps the increase of Revenue.
I have the honor to be Sir! Your most Obedt. Servt
John Fitzgerald
Copy, RG 56, Letters to and from the Collector at Alexandria, National Archives; copy, from a typescript supplied by the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, D.C.
1. Samuel Hanson.
2. A number of prominent Alexandria businessmen recommended Gray for the post of surveyor in a letter to George Washington on October 23, 1793 (LS, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress). Fitzgerald also wrote to Washington on October 23 recommending Gray (ALS, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress). Gray was appointed surveyor of the District for the port of Alexandria on December 30, 1793.