Evening star., 1902-02-15
EARLY OFFICE SEEKERS
Methods Differed Little From
Those of F[o,d{aaly. day.
SHOWN BY Old PAPERS
A sIDELIGHT ON THE HISTORY
OF THE TIMES.
Letter From Major L'Enfant That
Now Reads Almost Like
Prophecy.
SHOWN BY OLD PAPERS

Ofice-seeking is one Of the oldest institu-
| tions of the United States 1t began with
| the establishment Of the government and
! increased in extent and popularity with the
| vast growth of the country. 1t has kept
| pace with the national development, and
| oftener than not has run far ahead Of 1t.
| Modern methods differ only in degree and
manner from those of the earliest days Of
the struggling American republic. There
was then however. apparently more frank
| ness In the applications for public places
| than is now the case.
| An interesting insight in the matter Of
office-seeking in the time of President
| Washington is given in a compilation Of
such papers made from the archives Of the
Department Of State, by Mr.. Gaillard Hunt
of this city. These old papers throw his
| torical sidelights on the political and social
| life Of the founders Of the republic and
| open fertile field for sociological re-
search The applications are grouped under
| five heads, viz: Those which relate entirely
| to the fitness of the applicant for the duties
of the office he seeks, comprising three
fourths of the whole number; those in
which the performance of military service
is given as a reason for asking for office;
those requesting continuance in office, the
group being large one; those based on the
neoessitous circumstances Of the applicant,
and those in which the political opinions Of
the applicants play prominent part. The
last group is the smallest Of the lot.
Wanted to Be Minister.
Given as a specimen Of the first group Is
the application Of Mr. James Bowdoin the
younger, of Boston. for the office Of min
lister to England. 1t is addressed to Pres
| ident Washington, and reads in part as fol-
lows:
"The Regard, 1 am persuaded, your Ex-
cellency entertained for my late Father:
the Respect, which his private, as well as
public Character induced, whilst it should
inspire a general Desire. to emulate his
Virtues. ought in a peculiar Manner to
create in me, Disposition, to tread in his
Footsteps.
These Considerations, added to a sup
posed ability, to serve the United States,
torn ouD in the Character of their Minis
ter, at the torn ouD London. induce me,
to make a Tender torn ouD Services. to
your EXcellency.
After having partaken Of the Honours
Of Harvard College in Massachusetts, l
passed to Great Britain, and received the
Remainder Of my Education at Christ
church College in Oxford, where I was per-
sonally, and particularly, acquainted with
the honble Mr. Geo. Grenvile. now the
Marquis Of Buckingham, ye Earl Of Win
chelsea, Lord Buckley, the present Lord
Give, and others, some of whom, are re-
spectacle characters in the present Admin
istraton in that Countryi j afterwards
took We usual Tour Of the Continent of
Europe, which gave me a further Introduce
ton to many distinguished Persons of the
English Nation. Since my Return to my
own Country, l have been for a number Of
years, a Member of the Genl. Court Of Mas
sachusetts. and have been qualifying my
self for public Life. -rs<=
Upon these Grounds have presumed
upon making an Offer of my Services to
your Excellency, not with a View to We
Al nf oh, An, nr}v
ing competent Fortune to support myself.
either in England or my own Country, in
the Character of Gentleman.
'As I wish my Views. may not, at pres
ent, be made public; l am to request ye
Favour, they may, SO far, rest with your
Excellency, as not to superceed those En-
quiries with respect to my Abilities and
Character, which you, Sir, may deem fit,
and necessary.
Attached to your Person, and devoted
to your Interest; you'll permit me, with
Sentiments Of the most profound Respect,
to subscribe myself" etc.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Bowdoin's argu-
ments, President Washington was not con-
vinced by them. and 1t was not until after
the latter's death that Mr.. Bowdoin became
Minister to SPAIN He Is better known,
however, as the founder Of Bowdoin Col
lege.
Plain Comments.
A confidential report made by Mr.. Royal
Flint to Mr.. Alexander Hamilton In regard
to certain residents Of Rhode Island would
have made a big scandal If published dur
Ing the lifetime Of those concerned. That
he did not mnce words is shown by these
extracts from his report the names being
here omitted:
Col o. is universally popular he is.a
firm man to oppose smuggling, & 1t has
seemed for a long time to be the prevailing
opinion he would be appointed collector.
"Mr. T. Is an honest but a grabbed aus
tere man & very unpopular
"Mr. F. Is an intriguing man OF great
weight In the state, he is thought to have
been in degree bought by the Antifederal-
lists, with the promise Of having any office
which it was in their power to give.
"Mr. T. is indifferently spoken Of
"Col. B. popular among the lower class
of people: he would be active
Col. P.'s reputation stands high
"Mr. C. formerly conducted himself very
well In office & Is much respected.
''Col: s. is good public character in
everything where money Is not concerned
but If trusted with the collection would be
in danger of misa applying the revenue.
'Dr. o. Is an old man, spoken OF as IN
active; If he should be appointed, it would
be considered as effected through the
means Of his southern friends
"Col L. is represented as being respecta-
ble"
Probably the most interesting paper in
the collection, from a local viewpoint
and one that reads like prophecy in the
light of the present discussion Of the park
development Of Washington. Is the follow
ing letter. addressed to President Wash
ington by Major p. c.. LEnfant the
distinguished French engineer who planned
the capital city: y;s. -e-7f,A1t
A Letter From L'Enfant.
NEW YORK, September IL, 1880
"Sir: The late determination of Congress
to lay the foundation OF a city which is
to become the capital of this vast en-
pire offer SO great an occasion Of acouir