To George Washington from Philip Burr Bradley, 16 May 1789
From Philip Burr Bradley
Hartford [Conn.] May 16. 1789
Sir
The day is not far distant when a ⟨mutilated⟩ Connecticutt will be appointed by your Excellency; I hope therefore that my present application will at least escape the censure of being premature.
Having conversed with the Senators and Representatives of this State on the Subject of procuring that office; and being assured of their support, I venture to request that your Excellency would be pleased to nominate me for it.
I formerly had the Honor of serving under your Excellency as Colonel of a Regiment in the late Federal Army my Person and abilities were then well known to you, and should further information be deemed necessary the Senators and Representatives in Congress from this State will I trust chearfully give the most ample Testimonials in my favor—I have the Honor to be with the highest Esteem and most sincere affection Your Excellencys most Obedient and very Humble Servt
Philip B. Bradley
ALS, DLC:GW.
Philip Burr Bradley (1738–1821) was a native of Fairfield, Conn., but settled in 1759 as a merchant and farmer in Ridgefield. During the Revolution he was colonel of the Connecticut State Regiment from May to December 1776 and colonel of the 5th Connecticut Regiment from January 1777 to his retirement in January 1781. From 1769 to 1791 Bradley was a member of the Connecticut general assembly and in 1788 a supporter of the Constitution at the Connecticut Ratifying Convention. On 29 Aug. 1789 Bradley wrote to GW asking to be made marshal for Connecticut (DLC:GW). In September GW appointed him to that position and reappointed him in 1794 ( 1:29, 30, 144–45).