To George Washington from George Plater, 31 August 1789
From George Plater
Sotterley1 Aug: 31st 1789
Dear Sir
I have lately understood that Mr Robert Young appointed Surveyor of Nottingham District Patuxent River has declined to accept the Appointment2—I therefore take the Liberty to recommend to your Excellency Mr James Hopewell, a Friend of mine, a Gentleman who I think will discharge the Trust with the strictest Fidelity & punctuality, & who, being situated on the very Spot, at Town Creeke, is in every respect perfectly qualified3—Mrs Plater unites with me in offering our Respects to you & your Lady, & I am, with the highest Consideration of Regard & Esteem, Dear Sir, Yr most obt hble Servt
Geo. Plater
LS, DLC:GW.
1. Sotterley was the Plater family estate in St. Mary’s County, Maryland.
3. James Hopewell (d. 1817), a planter in St. Mary’s County, served in the Maryland legislature in the 1780s and 1790s and as a justice of the peace from 1793. He did not get the surveyor’s appointment.