To George Washington from Howson Clark, 18 January 1796
From Howson Clark
Halifax, Virginia, January 18th 1796
Sir
This is the second Letter I have done myself the honor of addressing your Excellency1—the distance we are at and the uncertainty of the conveyance of a Letter at so great a distance leads me to fear that the first and perhaps this may miscarry ere it reachs you, this consideration induces me to dispense with part of that elegance and prolixity which in other circumstances I should lay down as a necessary rule; thus much I conceive’d necessary, explanatory of the appearance of this letter.
I am extremely sorry my situation is such as to render this mode of solicitation necessary, my other and perhaps indispensible avocation puting it out of my power forming or cultivating connections thro whose influence my interest might be advanced, I assure your Excellency the prospect on my side was gloomy untill the idea originated dictating an immediate correspondence with you whence I confess (and gladly too) that some glimmering of hope and expectation now exists, altho very obscure and faint that hope, contemplating the disadvantages attending my suite; agreable to the common concuring course of human events.
but reflecting on your uniform conduct, permit me to observe I hope and flatter myself that you will not dispense on this occasion with that rule of conduct whichever has met the approbation of your fellow citizens, to my injury only.
I conceive it quite unnecessary to dilate on this subject, Suffer me to add that should my solicitation meet your approbation, will you Sir be pleased to direct for me to have information thereof particularizing the department which your Excellency allots, as well as all other contingencies relative thereto.
With heartfelt emotions do I inform you of the united and undivided applauses, which your Speech to both houses of Congress, obtains, throughout every class of Citizens, the anarchist only excepted, a party very incon[si]derable with us.2 I hope you will excuse this digression—permit me the honor of Subscribing myself Yo. Mo. Obd. Hbb. Servt
Howson Clark
ALS, DLC:GW. Clark wrote on the cover: “the post master will please forward this so soon as it comes to the office.”
Howson Clark (c.1777–1835) represented Halifax County in the Virginia House, 1815–19, and Halifax and other counties in the Virginia Senate, 1819–23.
1. Clark’s previous letter to GW, dated 10 Nov. 1795, reads: “My great attachment to your public & private character, at this time incites me to give you the trouble of receiving this Letter, no other consideration I assure you woud induce me to assume that degree of apparent arrogance, as of writing to so exalted a personage when I am entirely unknown to him.
“Fully convinced from every circumstance of your life wherewith I am acquainted, of your profound goodness and impartial patronage corroborated from the variety of instances, a mere recital of which woud far exceed the Limits of a Letter, evidences thus unquestionable and permit me to add surprising, indicates a disposition (if not celestial) pregnant with the most unbounded goodness, far beyond the reach, and almost conception of the human understanding and bids me to adore you as an object inferior only to my God. Afflicted with these sensations and others similer the utterance of which are beyond the power of my expression, I have flattered myself with a faint hope of endeavoring to approach something nearer the man I so much adore; but the obstacles appearing almost insurmountable which present themselves on that occasion, I have been for some time at a stand to know what steps to pursue that will most probably obtain that desirable object, after considering every relative circumstance thereto, there appears no other but that of writing at once to you, which I hope you will excuse if not approve, after these observations I beg leave to be permitted to solicit some department acting in the Sphere of which I shall be near you, in order to regulate your Opinion on this subject, I conceive it necessary to give you a general idea of my character &c. I am about Eighteen years of age, after having received a tolerable good Country education I was put by my Father (who is now deceased) under a retail merchant, in which capacity I have continued ever since until a few months since, when I was promoted to a partner in one of his Stores—My Figure is not very different from the rest of the Species. having said thus much Sir I shall conclude, as in a heart as yours, this much as in the present case, would answer the same purpose as If I was to fill a quire of paper with intreaties, let this suffice that I shall not be displeased with your decision” (ALS, DLC:GW).
2. Clark is referring to GW’s annual address to Congress of 8 Dec. 1795.