George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 16 April 1781
To Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.
New Windsor April 16th 1781
Sir,
Colo. Harrison who has acted as my Secretary since the beginning of 1776 has accepted an honorable & profitable Civil appointment in the State of Maryland and is gone to enjoy it.1 The circle of my acquaintanc⟨e⟩ does not furnish a character that would be more pleasing to me as a successor to him than yours; I make you the first offer therefore of the vacant Office & should be happy in your acceptance of it.
The pay is one hundred dollars pr Month—the Rations that of a Lieutt Colonel in the Army—(which, in fact, is additional; as the value thereof is received in money)—No perquisites appertain to the Office—The Secretary lives as I do—is at little expence while he is in my family, or when absent on my business—and is in the highest confidence & estimation from the nature of his Office.
I mention these things for your information and shall be happy in a speedy & favourable answer.2 being with great esteem & regard Dr Sir Yr.
ADf, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Robert Hanson Harrison had been appointed chief judge of the Maryland General Court. For his resignation as GW’s secretary, see Harrison to GW, 26 February.
GW had written a certificate for Harrison on 25 March: “I certify that Robt H. Harrison Esqr. Lieutt Colo. in the Continental Army—entered the Service in the month of October 1775 as one of my Aid de Camps, and in May following became my Secretary; the duties of which Offices he discharged with conspicuous abilities—That his whole conduct, during all the interesting periods of the War has been marked by the strictest integrity and the most attentive & faithful services while by personl bravery he has been distinguishd on sevl occasions” (ADfS, DLC:GW; copy, DNA: RG 233; Varick transcript, DLC:GW). When he wrote Jeremiah Wadsworth on 29 March, GW’s aide-de-camp David Humphreys reported that “Colo. Harrison is appointed Chief Justice of the State of Maryland, and has taken his final leave of our family, leaving an injunction with me, to present his affectionate regards to you” (NjP: De Coppet Collection).
2. Trumbull replied to GW on 27 April.