To George Washington from William Moultrie, 10 August 1789
From William Moultrie
Charleston So. Carolina Augst 10 1789
Dear Sir
I beg leave to trouble you in favor of my friend Colonel Motte, whose merits deserves every consideration; he was a Lieut. Col. of the Regt which I had the honor to Command at the commencement of the War, and continued in the service for several years, after which he was chosen a member of Congress, at which time I believe he had the honor of being known to your Excellency; his very ample fortune which was mostly in money has been nearly sunk in the funds, in supporting the American War. I cannot but interest myself in his behalf from his merits, and my near Connection with him (his being a brother to Mrs Moultrie) to mention him to you as a Candidate for the Post of Naval Officer for the Port of Charleston. I have the honor to be, Dear Sir with the greatest respect & regard Your Excellencys Most Ob. and Very humble Servant
Willm Moultrie
ALS, DLC:GW.
Isaac Motte (1738–1795) was a lieutenant colonel and colonel in the South Carolina Second Regiment of Foot before his election to the South Carolina legislature in 1776. In 1788 he supported the Constitution at the South Carolina Ratifying Convention. GW appointed him naval officer at Charleston in August 1789, a post he held until his death. In August 1791 the sudden death of George Abbott Hall, collector of the customs at Charleston, left that post open, and William Moultrie, whose wife Hannah was Isaac Motte’s sister, wrote GW on 2 Aug. 1791, assuring him that Motte’s “ability is every way equal to that of the late Collector who so worthily filled the office” (DLC:GW). On the same day Charles Pinckney also wrote to GW recommending that Motte be appointed to succeed Hall (DLC:GW).