Washington, George (1732-1799) to Edward Carrington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05310 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 December 1795 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 23 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy
Thanks him for earlier letters. Discusses official appointments. States that the Senate has denied the appointment of John Rutledge as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Informs that the Department of War is still unfilled and he is waiting for more information before he fills either appointment. Marked private on first page.
Washington was President at the time. Carrington served as quartermaster general in the Revolutionary War, and later as a Virginia delegate to Congress and the foreman of the jury that acquitted Aaron Burr of treason. Carrington recommended Colonel James Innes of Virginia for Associate Justice to Washington but Innes was not appointed.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Philadelphia 23d. Decr 1795
Dear Sir,
Receive, I pray you, my thanks for your obliging favor of the 6th. Instt., and for other unacknowledged lettr. of antecedant date.
As, except in a single instance, they contained information only, nothing more was necessary than to know they had got safe to hand: this they did, and I feel myself much obliged in your attention to my request; as I always shall be for such communications as you may think interesting or satisfactory for me to be informed of while I remain in my present Station.
It had been expected that the Senate would put their veto on the appointment of Mr. R___ and so it [inserted: has] happened. This induced me to delay the nomination of a successor to Mr. Blair; and as the department of War is yet unfilled; I am waiting (expected) information in order [2] to make a general arrangement, or rather distribution of these Offices, before I decide upon either seperatily. [sic]
With sincere esteem & regard
I am - Dear Sir
Yr. Obedt. & Affe. Servt
Go: Washington
Colo Carrington
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