Petition of Michael McMahon, [28 May 1805]
Petition of Michael McMahon
[28 May 1805]
The Petittion of Micheal McMahon, of the
City of New York, tavern Keeper
Humbly Sheweth
That your Petittioner, has a Sickly wife and Helpless Family, and that, on the month of August. 1803 Shiped, One of his Lodgers With Lietuenant, Blake of the United States Navy—
That your Petittioner Put said mand on On board, a Vessel, bound for Boston with Enlisted Men, and received, a, Cheque on the Mahattan Bank in this City. a Copy of which, is hereunto Annexed—and on Presenting the same was Informed by the Cashier—that, Lietuenant Blake, had, with drawn his funds and that the Same could not be Paid—
That, some time after he sent, a Statement. of this transaction, to the Secretary of the Navy, Verified under Oath, and haveing received No Satisfaction, his compelled to trouble Yr. Excellency, on the Subject, haveing no doubt you Will Order Such Steps, to be taken as will Reinstate, your Petittioner, and possibly preevent. Officers in future, serveing Others, as he, has been—
Your Excellency, takeing the premises in, to consideration, yr Petititior Shall pray
Michael McMahon
RC (DNA: RG 45, MLR); in a clerk’s hand, signed by McMahon; at head of text: “To, his, Excellency Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, &. &. &.”; with subjoined copy of a check drawn on the Manhattan Company on 11 Aug. 1803 in the amount of $28 on Joshua Blake’s account and attestation by McMahon before Alderman James Drake, dated New York, 28 May 1805, to the truth of the statement; endorsed by TJ; recorded in SJL as received 31 May with notation “N”; also endorsed by TJ: “refd to Secy. Navy Th:J.”
Michael McMahon operated a tavern and grocery in New York City (John Langdon and Son’s New-York City Directory, from May 1, 1804, to May 1, 1805 [New York, 1804]).
Lietuenant, Blake: on 26 May 1803, Robert Smith assigned Lieutenant Blake to the brig Merrimack under construction at Boston (DNA: RG 45, LSO).