From George Washington to William Smith, 6 November 1788
To William Smith
Mount Vernon Novr 6th 1788
Sir,
The Count de Moustier—Minister from the Court of France—and the Marchioness de Brehan &ca—being on their return to New York, and proposing to pass through Baltimore I have the honor of introducing them to your personal acquaintance; being persuaded that you will have pleasure in paying them those attentions which are not only due to their Rank but to their great Merit.1 I am Sir Yr Most Obedt & Very Humble Servant
Go: Washington
ALS, ViMtvL.
William Smith (1728–1814) moved from Pennsylvania in 1761 to establish a mercantile business in Baltimore. In the 1770s Smith was a member of Baltimore’s committee of correspondence and represented Maryland in the Continental Congress. He was elected as a federalist to the First Congress in 1789.
1. See Moustier to GW, 5 Oct. 1788, n.3. A similar letter of introduction, also dated 6 Nov. 1788, was addressed to Otho Holland Williams (1749–1794). Williams, a native of Prince Georges County, Md., rose from the rank of lieutenant to brigadier general during the Revolution, and after the war he became a merchant in Baltimore. From 1783 he had served as naval officer of the port under the state government, and GW appointed him collector of customs for Baltimore in 1789.