To George Washington from John Taylor Gilman, 12 August 1789
From John Taylor Gilman
New York August 12th 1789.
Sir
I hope your Excellency will be pleased to Excuse the trouble of this Letter, as an Attack of the Rheumatism deprives me the Honor of waiting on you in person.
Having been Honored by the late Congress with an appointment as One of the Commissioners for adjusting the Accounts between the United States and Individual states, I met the other Commissioners in this place in January last, but as I cannot proceed in the business in the absence of the Gentlemen who are now Associated with me, and am desirous of Visiting my Family in New Hampshire, have to Request that your Excellency would be pleased to Indulge me with leave of Absence for a few Weeks.1 I have the Honor to be, with the Highest Respect, Your most Obedient and most Hume servt
John Taylor Gilman
ALS, DNA:PCC, item 78.
John Taylor Gilman (1753–1828) served as a commissary for New Hampshire troops during the Revolution and as a member of the New Hampshire General Court in 1779 and 1781. As a delegate to the New Hampshire Ratifying Convention he voted for the Constitution. Gilman retained his post as a commissioner for settling accounts with the states (see Robert Barnwell to GW, 27 April 1789, n.1) under the new government until his resignation in November 1790.
1. Tobias Lear replied on the same day, relaying GW’s permission for Gilman to take leave of absence “under the full expectation that you will not exceed the term of three weeks, lest a longer absence should retard the important business of the Board” (DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters). See also Gilman to GW, 12 Sept. 1789