To George Washington from Otho Holland Williams, 24 January 1785
From Otho Holland Williams
Baltimore 24th Jany 1785.
Sir
Major Turner of Philadelphia to whom, and Captn Claypole, was committed the buisiness of having the Diploma of the Society of the Cincinnati engraved on Copperplate, has sent me a bundle containing eighty three Diplomas on Parchment, with a list of fourteen members who have advanced to him one dollar each for the expence.1
Major Turner has importuned me exceedingly to pay him the money he has advanced on account of the Society; But I cannot do so without the means of reimbursing myself.2
If you Sir, will please to sign the Diplomas most of the members will be glad to have them, and a regular and true account shall be rendered of all monies received and paid by me.31 have the honor to be Sir Your most Obedient and Most Humble Servant
O. H. Williams Ass⟨. Secy⟩ &c.
ALS, DLC:GW; ADfS, MdHi: Otho Holland Williams Papers.
1. At the general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati in Philadelphia, George Turner and Abraham Claypoole, on 17 May, were made “a Committee to Superintend & procure the Engraving on the Copper Plate brought by Major L’Enfant from France, the written Form of the Diploma” (Winthrop Sargent’s Journal, doc. II in General Meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, 4–18 May 1784).
2. See GW to Williams, 2 February.
3. GW signed and sent the diplomas back to Williams, but they were stolen en route. See GW to Williams, 2 Feb., and Williams to GW, 20 April.