The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-26
LACHLAN 0rINTOsH.
some Facts About One of GeOrgIa's
Earliest Settlers.

The following letter from the files OF
the department of state at Washing
ton. which. it is believed. has never before
been printed. contains valuable Informal
ton concerning one OF the earliest set
tiers Of Georgia.
II is the application made by Lachlan
Mcintosh of Savannah IN February. lTS9
10 George Washington for the position
Of collector OF customs. He was then
past o. years OF age, and had resided in
the state for ffty-six years.
in question. but the Senate having re-
1ected the nomination of Benjamin Fish
1ourn, as naval officer OF the port OF
Savannah. the President presented the
name OF Lachlan Mcintosh. together with
message of Aug. 7, 1883. suggesting that
when his nominations appeared question
able TO the Senate he should be informed
in order that he lay before il the reasons
L. l. Renick.
Savannah in Georgia, 18th February
lIS9.-Dear General; From circumstances
which made me sufficiently easy and in
dependent ! am reduced by the fortune Of
the late war to apply the first time in
my life and much against my grain. for
some public Office, which man past 81
years OF age, as l am, can execute for
the support of myself and the helpless
part OF my family during the short remain
der Of my life
1t is Unnecessary to trouble you. my
dear general, with the particulars of the
loss OF my active property, which 1 read
ily fOreSaw from the beginning was una
Voidable, as l was the southern frontier
settler I'm the United States. who stood
forth early for our present happy revolu-
ton, amongst a great majority Of differ
ent sentiments and principles. I will only
mention that / have little else now left
than some lands l held before the war.
which | am not able TO improve, and the
tax upon them Is far beyond my ability
to pay, and must shallow (swallow) the
whole up in short time, being, l con-
ceive, much overated, as the predicament
we stand in with the Spaniards, and our
imprudent quarrel with the Indians, both
of whom bound US on the south and west
have rendered lands I'm these quarters of
our state of little value. and altogether
unsuitable for my present relief
l have had 1t is true. certificates for
the communication OF my half pay, and ar
rears of pay with moneys / advanced for
raising and supporting our quota of con-
tnental troops when our state was not
able, or not so willing as / could then
wish TO do IT. These certificates have at
times deprecated about twenty for one
yet ! have been Obliged to part with most
OF them for scanty subsistence, which
j still stand in need Of.
cannot complain of the gratitude OF my
country, VINO have amply acknowledged
the small services / was capable Of which
had little other merit than the early and
continued efforts and zeal with which
they were performed. Most of our public
olAANt AAN lAOA suit lily Altflt OF llItt ana All
of them IN the gift of this state, have
lost much of their responsibility in the
mode OF annual elections by the leglsla-
ture, and the management and intrigues
by which they are generally obtained,
which some men cannot submit to.
/ therefore take the liberty OF applying
directly TO you without the Interference
Of any others, as there can be no doubt
OF your being unanimously elected Presi-
dent OF the United States, FOR the appoint
ment or collector Of customs for the port of
Savannah, or all the ports in this state,
which ] conceive myself qualified for II
you can place sufficient confidence in my
integrity from your former experience
and knowledge of me.
/ am informed that Mr.. Reuben Wilkin-
son, younger man of North Carolina, the
present possessor of that office, and sew
eral gentlemen from other states, are max
ing great interest for II. but 1 will submit
to you alone, sir, whether a residency
since the first settlement OF the state, now
difty-sX years. long and hard struggle
since was boy In all
its troubles and difficulties until
/ am worn out, and now unfit for any
active department, with the losses and
sufferings which have brought me to dis
tress in my old age, does not deserve some
consideration. l am, my dear general,
your faithful and most obedient humble
servant, Lachn Mcintosh
The Most Hon. George Washington, Esq.