WASHINGTON
SETS OUT HIS FUNDAMENTAL POLICY AS PRESIDENT
ON APPOINTMENTS TO FEDERAL OFFICES
GEORGE WASHINGTON. Letter Signed as President
to Thomas McKean, New York [NY], 24 January 1790. 1 page, 10¼"
x 8".
From the moment he knew he would be the nation’s first President,
George Washington anticipated many anxieties, but none greater, as he
told one friend, “than those that were likely to be produced by
applications for appointments” to office. His fear proved justified;
the surviving applications for office during his Presidency fill thirty-two
manuscript volumes of nearly 5,000 pages and are estimated to number
between 2500 and 3000.
Washington established his guiding principles on appointments even before
he took the oath of office, aware that his conduct would be significant
in solidifying the new government and would set precedents for the future.
His foremost rule was that he would make no advance commitments, so
that when the time came to decide on an appointment, he could act solely
and freely for the public good. He believed this necessary to his own
reputation as well as to the public trust. He would then seek the best
man among those offered for each public post, without any favoritism
based on ties of family or friendship.
Here, less than a year into his Presidency, Washington responds to a
request for an appointment made by Thomas McKean on behalf of his son-in-law.
A Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Delaware, McKean was
at this date the chief justice of Pennsylvania. In a letter sent on
17 January 1790, McKean noted that Congress was considering establishing
hospitals for sick and disabled seamen, and he asked that his son-in-law,
Dr. George Buchanan, be named superintendent of the hospital expected
to be placed in Baltimore.
Washington replies here, a week later, clearly stating his policy of
making no advance commitments for an appointment to any federal job.
“As no determination has yet been taken respecting the erection
of Hospitals for the reception of sick and disabled Seamen,”
the President states, “the object, to which your letter relates,
is not before me – and, as I have undeviatingly considered freedom
of choice, in all nominations to office, essential to the public service,
I am persuaded you will have the goodness to excuse an adherence to
that sentiment on the present occasion, which forbids any previous engagement,
however satisfactory the pretensions of the Gentleman who wishes the
appointment.” He has signed, “G. Washington.”
Washington’s letter is published, based on a retained, letter-book
copy, in Fitzpatrick, ed., Writings of George Washington, volume
31, page 3, and in Twohig, ed., Papers of George Washington: Presidential
Series, volume 5, page 6. The latter volume also prints McKean’s
letter, at pages 4-5.
For information on Washington’s policy on appointments to office,
see Freeman, George Washington, volume 6, pages 160-62, 218-21.
The letter has very slight wear and an expert repair in the lower blank
margin. Overall, it is in fine condition, with a large and dark Washington
signature.
An exceptional Presidential letter, written to a Signer of the Declaration
of Independence, stating Washington’s basic principle on an important
policy issue. $38,000.00
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