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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.05059 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0101] July-August 1791 |
| Title | Tench Coxe to Henry Knox asking Knox to nominate him for the position of Postmaster General |
| Date | 10 July 1791 |
| Author | Coxe, Tench (1755-1824) |
| Recipient | Knox, Henry |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Business and financial document |
| Content Description | Marked "private." Written by Coxe as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to Knox as Secretary of War. Has heard the Postmaster General (Samuel Osgood) has resigned or signified to President Washington his desire to resign. Would like Knox to nominate him for the job. Writes, "The Emoluments of the office are less than those of the office I hold, but there are circumstances, which I will have the honor to explain to you, that induce me to wish the change & Col. Hamilton is strongly impressed with their weight. I am authorized by him to say in confidence to you, that tho [inserted: he] feels a wish that he may not bring forward the name of a person so nearly connected with him," as they work in the same department, "he will give me his entire support." Suggests the best way to bring up the appointment: "if you can make it convenient to mention me as from yourself to the President before you leave his house, you would be so obliging as to do it, adding such opinions as you may think the interests of the United States & truth will permit." Knox docketed the letter as 10 July 1791, while Coxe marked it as 11 July 1791. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War General Government and Civics Post Office Office Seeker Letter of Introduction or Recommendation Finance President |
| People | Coxe, Tench (1755-1824) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Washington, George (1732-1799) Hamilton, Alexander (ca. 1757-1804) Osgood, Samuel (1748-1813) Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) |
| Theme | Government & Politics; The Presidency |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | Coxe did not get the position; Timothy Pickering was appointed on 12 August 1791. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide |