To George Washington from Henry Laurens, Sr., 20 August 1791
From Henry Laurens, Sr.
Mepkin Plantation [St. Johns Parish, Berkeley County]
so. Carolina 20th August 1791.
Dear Sir.
I congratulate with yourself & Mrs Washington on your happy return to Mount Vernon & with my fellow Citizens in general on your arrival at the Seat of Government, events which have gladned many Hearts.
I have been inform’d Sir there will be appointments of Ministers to foreign Courts at the next Session of Congress, should so. Carolina be entitled to one, I would beg leave to name Charles Pinckney Esquire present Governor of the State, his abilities are well known, his honor and integrity stand clear & unimpeach’d.
I do not presume Sir to trouble you by Solicitation but barely to mention the name of Mr Pinckney who will soon be at leisure from his present Commission & who is earnestly disposed to serve his Country.1 With the most sincere Esteem & Respect I have the honor to be Sir Your much obliged & most obedient servant
Henry Laurens.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Charles Pinckney, who was married to Henry Laurens, Sr.’s daughter Mary Eleanor, desired to be minister to Great Britain. GW instead named Thomas Pinckney to that post (see GW to the U.S. Senate, 22 December). Charles Pinckney later was appointed minister to Spain by Thomas Jefferson.