The Washington times., 1902-03-10
State Department Issues Vol
ume of Interesting Details.
APPEALS TO WASHINGTON
Novel Applications for Positions Under
Government During Early Years of Re
public-James Bowdoin's Letter-Re-
quests for Peculiar Positions.


fee beyond the reach of their applica-
tions and few that are too poorly paid
to remain long unclaimed. 1t has been
so ever since George Washington was
elected to the Presidency
The Department of State has just issued
most interesting little volume, which
gives details of the applications for Of
fee sent to President Washington. 1t
might he called Volume / of the History
of American Officeseeking.'
Those who nave applied for offices in
the course OF recent administrations need
not fear that their confidential communi-
cations will be given to the public as
have the records of the pioneer Office
seekers. The State Department does not
undertake impossible tasks.
Side Lights on Men and Events.
These old applications for office throw
many sidelights upon the men and events
of the time. They show what were con-
sidered as good reasons for requesting
executive office, and may be taken as a
fair index of popular opinion on this sub
ject Three -fourths of the applications
are those which relate entirely to the fit
ness of the applicant for the duties OF the
office.
Next in number come those in which
the performance of military service is
one reason Tor asking for an office. An
other large group desire continuance in
Offices held under the old Government. A
few appeals are based upon the neces-
sitous circumstances of the applicant.
These circumstances are outlined with
surprising frankness.
answered by ''seasonable relief instead
of public Office The smallest group of
all is the applications in which the politi
cal opinions of the candidates play a part.
As Washington did net take sides with
either the Federalists Or anti Federalists,
this was not of great importance
Demand for Diplomatic Offices.
Diplomatic offices were much in demand
in the early days of the nation. and many
were the claims put forth as to fitness.
A typical letter was sent to Washing
ton by James Bowdoin, of Boston, who
wanted TO be Minister TO England, and
from it the following extracts are taken:
The Regard an persuaded, your Ex-
cellency entertained for my late Father;
the Respect, which his private. as well as
public Character induced. whilst ii should
inspire a general Desire to emulate his
Virtues ought in a peculiar Manner, to
create ia me. Disposition, TO trend in his
Footsteps.
After having partaken of the Honors
OF Harvard College in Massachusetts, /
passed TO Great Britain. and received the
Remainder OF my Education at Christ
church College in Oxford where l was
personally, and particularly acquainted
with the hCn'ble Mr.. George GreuyilIe
now the Marquis of Buckingham. and 9TH
ers, some of whom. are respectable char
acters in the present Administration in
that country; l afterwards took We usual
Tour of the Continent Of Europe which
gave me further Introduction to many dis
tinguished Persons of the English Nation.
Since my Return to my own country, /
have been, for number of years, a Mem
ber of the General Court of Massachu-
sets, and have been qualifying myself
for public Life
An Offer of Services.
Upon these Grounds, have presumed
upon making an Offer of my Services to
your EXcellency, not with a View to ye
Emoluments of such an Appointment
having a competent Fortune 10 support
myself, either in England, or my own
Country, in the Character of a Gentle
man.
Attached to your Person. and devoted
TO your Interest; you'll permit me, with
Sen, -ents of the most profound Respect,
TO subscribe myself, Sir, Your most
obeGient and very humble servant"
Some of the hunters were after novel
Offices John Bailey, OF New York in 1890,
applied TO furnish the United States with
coin" on the ground that he was "ac-
quainted with the whole mystery of
coming" Ebenezer Brooks OF Washing
-, rI
for Congress. He had improved on DR..
Byrons system, and was about TO pub
lish book on the subject
John Churchman wanted to be appoint
ed a secretary of legation because he de-
sired to visit Europe. "He has made an
invention FOR ascertaining the variation
OF the Teedle." In 1889 Andrew Ellicott
applied for appointment as geographer
of the United States for che and Mr..
Rittenhouse are the only two practical
surveyors and astronomers in the coun-
try, who make their own instruments" G.
Mccormick applied for some surveying
in the Western country, or any other
thing that the President thinks him
worthy Of
United for Active Life.
George Lee Turbeville desired to be
collector OF Rappahannock River because
he was untitled for active life by the
gout." Most applications of this kind
were not so definite. There were many
who were anxious to serve their country
In any "ofiice with reasonable en.olu-
ments." This is especially true OF those
who advanced war suffering as a reason
for being appointed. Here are some of
the ways of putting these reasons:
He supplied the army with stores dur
ing the war and lost his property in con-
sequence"
He served IN the war and loaned his
whole stock OF trade to the United
States"
mantown and is now poor and in dis
tress."
He sent communications from Staten
Island under the name of 'Amicus
Reipublicae,' giving information as to the
enemy's movements; he is now in need OF
support"
Congress having rejected his claim for
expenditures in making his escape from
prison in England, he needs support for
his wife and children"
THE wounds he received in the war in
capacitate him from business pursuits"
His parents, in New Haven, lost their
properly in The war. and he is now poor"
His integrity and long services to his
country eDtitle him to consideration"
'He has diminished his fortune in con-
sequence Of the war, and wishes to serve
his country and himself"
Wanted Larger Salaries.
Many men who held one office applied |
for another because of the small salary.