George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Richard Morris, 19 February 1793

From Richard Morris

New York Feby 19th 1793

Sir

With the greatest Respect I take the Lyberty to inform you that on the Eighteenth of the Next month I shall perfect a year as Supervisor of the District of New York, and to Assure you I have the most gratefull Sence of the favour done me in Calling me to that Appointment (when I had not only been Neglected but Ungratefully treated by my own State) yet Sir the Emoluments Appointed to that Office tho Amply Sufficient at first View, After the deductions to pay Necessary Clerks, Office Keeper and Stamper of Certificates, Office Rent, fuel & &. leaves a Recompence Altogether unequal to the trouble, and Attendance, without any Recompence, for the Responsibility or for the Neglect, of my farm, and Mills, in the Country1—from this Consideration only, I am induced to Resign the Office, and to begg Such Arrangements may be taken, that I may on the first of April next which is a Quarter day deliver over to my Successor the Books & &: pertaining to the Office.2

I take the lyberty to send Inclosed, a State of my Receipts, and Expenditures Officially, for the two first Quarters I was Employd, to Enable you, to Judge of the Suffcy of the Recompence.3 I am Sir—with the Greatest Deference and Respect your Most Obedient Humble Servant

Rid Morris

ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters.

1For GW’s appointment of Morris as supervisor of the revenue for the district of New York, see GW to U.S. Senate, 6 Mar. 1792 (third letter).

2Office seekers began writing to GW soon after Morris’s resignation (Henry Dufouer to GW, 7 Mar., Mordecai Hale to GW, 22 April, Abraham Lott to GW, 15 July 1793). However, GW sought to replace Morris with John Armstrong, Jr. (Tobias Lear to GW, 8 April, Alexander Hamilton and Armstrong to Tobias Lear, 23 April, n.2). When Armstrong declined, GW nominated Nicholas Fish (GW to U.S. Senate, 27 Dec).

3The enclosed statement of receipts and expenditures, covering the period between 30 Mar. and 30 Sept. 1792, reads:

“Statement of the Salary Emoluments and Expenditures of Richard Morris Supervisor of the Revinue for the District of New York for the Quarter Ending June 30th 1792.

3 Months Salary at 900 Dollrs pr Annm 225   
Coms on 88[.]27 Ds 88 Cs being the Amount of Duty Arising on Spiritts Distilled in that Quarr 88 27
313 27
Expenditures
2 Clerks at 400 pr Annr 200   
Stampr of Certifics & Office Keeper at 250 62 50
Office Rent and Fuel 30  0
292 50
Remains for Supervisor  20 77

“Statement of the Salary Emoluments and Expenditures of Richard Morris Supervisor of the Revenue for the district of New York for the Quarter Ending 30th September 1792.

3 Months Salary at 900 Dollars pr Ann 225   
Comns on 106[.]73 Ds 31 C. being the Amount of Duties Arising on Spirits Distilled in that Quarter 106 73
Signing 4900 Geneva Certifs at 2½ Cents 122 50
454 23
Expenditures
2 Clerks 3 Months Each at 400 pr Annm 200   
Certificate Stamper & Office Keeper at 250 62 50
Office Rent fuel 30  0 292 50
Remains to Supervisor  161 73

(DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters).

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