George Washington Papers

To George Washington from John Moylan, 6 August 1790

From John Moylan

Philadelphia 6th Augst 1790

Sir

At the Time I did myself the Honor of addressing your Excellency on your appointment1 I was Engaged in the Dissagreable Task of Extricating myself from a very painful Situation wch a Continued Series of Misfortunes had Involved me in. Until this was Effected, I could not be prevailed upon to add to the Number of applications you were then daily Importuned with by placing myself on the List of Candidates to your Favour; however Convinced I was at Same Time that to be Distressed was taking nothing from the Claim which the unfortunate in general have to yr Goodness & Attention—That I have been only unfortunate, is in my present Circumstances a very Consoling Thought & to my own Consciousness on the occasion, my Creditors have not long Since added the pleasing & honorable Testimonial of not only giving me an absolute Discharge, but of Intrusting me also with the Intire Management of the Property I have given up to them.

I now, Sir take the Liberty of offering you my Services if at any time you think them Capable of contributing to the advancement of the Public Good, & beg leave particularly to Solicit the appointment of Consul to New Orleans, shoud such a one, under this or any other denomination be taken into View in the present Commercial arrangements, which I hear are about to take place. I Shall only add Sir, that if I were so happy as to prove the object of yr Choice for this office It shall be my Endeavour to Execute the Trust Reposed in me with the same Zeal & attachment to the Interest of my Country, with which I can safely say it was my Constant Study to Justify the Recommendation you were pleased to Honor me with on a former occasion.2 I have the Honor to be with Sentiments of profound Respect—Esteem—yr Excellency’s very obedient & most Humble Servant

John Moylan

ALS, DLC:GW.

2In 1781 when Moylan solicited the appointment of clothier general of the Continental Army, GW replied that he was pleased with Moylan’s performance as assistant to Clothier General James Wilkinson and would support his application. After Wilkinson’s resignation GW recommended Moylan to the president of the Continental Congress. GW did not appoint a consul at New Orleans in 1790 (see Moylan to GW, 18 Feb. 1781, DLC:GW; GW to Moylan, 23 Feb. 1781, Df, DLC:GW; GW to Samuel Huntington, 24 Mar. 1781, LS, DNA:PCC, item 152).

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