Wanted: An Appointment with the Western Army
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Wanted: An Appointment with the Western Army
Description
Since his zeal in attempting to invent a steam boat has reduced him to a state of penury, Fitch petitions Knox for a position with the Western Army. An appointment as Surveyor of the Army would suit him well.
year created
1791
month created
03
day created
09
author
sent from location
Philadelphia
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Henry Knox
John Fitch
Western Army
Secretary of State [Jefferson]
Surveyor of the Army
notable location
Philadelphia
notable item/thing
petition
steam boat
gunsmith busines
state of easy living
state of penury
document number
1791030940001
page start
1
number of pages
1
transcription
The honourable the Secretary at War
The Petition of John Fitch humbly Begs leave to Represent that from an over anxious Zeal to render service to his Country he has reduced himself from a State of Easy living to a State of penury and finding his schemes of the Steam Boat will probably be suspended for a few months he therefore prays your honor to give him an appointment in the Western Army as a Superintendent of the Artificers or as a Surveyor of the Army he flatters himself from the knoledge he acquired in carrying out the Gunsmiths business in a Pretty extensive manner in the year 1776 and the Various branches of business he has persued will plead powerfully on his behalf for such an appointment [undecipherable] Or if that office should be supplied and the office of a Surveyor be Vacant He trusts that the inclosed coppy of a Certificate Taken from the Secretary of State's files would justify you in giving one him an appointment
Should the Secretary at War take this same into his Consideration and grant the prayer of his petitioner he as in duty Bound shall Ever Pray
John Fitch
Philad 9th March 1791
The Petition of John Fitch humbly Begs leave to Represent that from an over anxious Zeal to render service to his Country he has reduced himself from a State of Easy living to a State of penury and finding his schemes of the Steam Boat will probably be suspended for a few months he therefore prays your honor to give him an appointment in the Western Army as a Superintendent of the Artificers or as a Surveyor of the Army he flatters himself from the knoledge he acquired in carrying out the Gunsmiths business in a Pretty extensive manner in the year 1776 and the Various branches of business he has persued will plead powerfully on his behalf for such an appointment [undecipherable] Or if that office should be supplied and the office of a Surveyor be Vacant He trusts that the inclosed coppy of a Certificate Taken from the Secretary of State's files would justify you in giving one him an appointment
Should the Secretary at War take this same into his Consideration and grant the prayer of his petitioner he as in duty Bound shall Ever Pray
John Fitch
Philad 9th March 1791
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (1 pages) | WFR08 (1 pages) | Collection: Papers of John Fitch. | mm79020727 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | John Fitch | Philadelphia | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |