George Washington Papers

From George Washington to James McHenry, 4 August 1798

To James McHenry

Mount Vernon 4th Augt 1798

Dear Sir,

The enclosed letter from Doctr Brown (of Port tobacco) to Doctr Craik, was this day put into my hands by the latter; who speaks favourably of the Medical abilities of the former.1 I wish to be considered in no other light than as a Vehicle of the application to the President, through you; for of Doctr Brown I have no knowledge, and of his fitness I can say nothing. One thing however, merits attention. The State of Maryland is highly Federal, both in its collective & Individual character, and I see no office of any Importance allotted to a member of it: whether the one sought for by Doctr Brown (wch I presume is second in the Medical Depart⟨ment⟩) will come under this description you can decide as well as—Dr Sir Yr Affecte

Go: Washington

ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW.

1The letter from Dr. Richard Gustavus Brown to James Craik has not been found. Brown, of Port Tobacco, Md., and Craik were two of the three doctors in attendance when GW died on 13 Dec. 1799.

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