From George Washington to the U.S. Senate, 20 May 1796
To the United States Senate
United States 20th May 1796.
Gentlemen of the Senate,
I nominate,
David Howell, of the State of Rhode Island, to be the Commissioner on the part of the United States, for the purpose of ascertaining the River St Croix, agreeably to the fifth Article of the treaty of Amity, Commerce and navigation, between the United States and Great Britain, in the room of Henry Knox, declined.1
James Sullivan, of Massachusetts, to be the Agent on behalf of the United States to manage the business of the fifth Article of the Treaty of Amity, commerce and navigation between the United States and Great Britain.2
Frederick Jacob Wichelhausen, to be the Consul of the United States at the City of Bremen.3
Go: Washington
LS, DNA: RG 46, entry 52; copy, DLC:GW.
1. See Henry Knox to GW, 14 April.
2. For nominations under Article V of the Jay Treaty, see Secretary of State Timothy Pickering’s second letter to GW on this date.
3. The Senate received these three nominations on this date and confirmed them on 21 May ( 210–11).
GW announced the consular appointment on 21 May: “Know Ye, that reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Abilities and Integrity of Frederick Jacob Wichelhausen of Bremen, I have nominated and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate do appoint him Consul of the United States of America for the Port of Bremen; and do authorize and empower him to have and to hold the said office and to exercise and enjoy all the Rights, Preeminences, Privileges and Authorities to the same of Right appertaining, during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being. He demanding and receiving no Fees or Perquisites of Office whatever, which shall not be expressly established by some Law of the said United States: And I do hereby enjoin all Capitains, Masters and Commanders of Ships and other Vessels armed or unarmed sailing under the Flag of the said States, as well as all other of their Citizens to acknowledge and consider him the said Frederick Jacob Wichelhausen accordingly. And I do hereby pray and request all Powers and Authorities therein and thereover to permit the said Frederick Jacob Wichelhausen fully and peaceably to enjoy and exercise the said office without giving or suffering to be given unto him any molestation or trouble, but on the contrary to afford him all proper countenance and assistance, I offering to do the same for all those who shall in like manner be recommended to me by the said Powers and Authorities” (copy, GyBrS). For the acknowledgement, see Burgomasters and Senators of Bremen to GW, 16 Feb. 1797 (DNA: RG 59, Communication from Heads of Foreign States).