George Washington Papers

To George Washington from William Livingston, Jr., 15 May 1789

From William Livingston, Jr.

Eliz: Town [N.J.] 15th May 1789

Sir

Having never studied the federal system with an Eye to preferment, I was ignorant until informed by Mr Patterson, of the mode of application on the subject in question.

The numbers, as well as the Characters, of the Gentlemen who compete for the Collectorship of this State, would have deterred me from handing up my name to your Excellency on this occasion: had not my friends (who may in their good wishes in this instance, have discovered more partiality to me, than their Country) urged me to it.

Altho there is no consideration of advancement that can encrease (what every citizen owes you) my gratitude, yet if the public good may be secured, & my name placed in nomination for this office, your Excellency, will at least, so far as those circumstances shall be deemed to meet, find some apology for this obtrusion of Sir your Excellency’s Most Obedt & Most devoted servt

Wm Livingston junr

ALS, DLC:GW.

William Livingston, Jr. (1754–1817), was the son of William Livingston (1723–1790), governor of New Jersey. The younger Livingston had served from time to time as his father’s secretary and in 1777 as secretary to the New Jersey council of safety.

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