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WASHINGTON’S APPOINTMENT OF THE FIRST SURVEYOR GENERAL
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Manuscript document in a secretarial hand, signed (“G. Washington”), as the first President of the United States, Philadelphia, 13 May 1796, countersigned by Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State. One page, oblong 4to (267 x 356 mm), on vellum, with paper presidential seal, docketed on verso, creased from folding. WASHINGTON APPOINTS FIRST SURVEYOR GENERAL. Simeon De Witt (1756-1834) was Geographer and Surveyor General of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and Surveyor General of the State of New York for fifty years until his death. In 1796, Washington nominated and appointed De Witt to become Surveyor General of the United States, but De Witt turned down the nomination. Washington wrote to Thomas Jefferson describing De Witt as “extremely modest, sensible, sober, discreet, and deserving of favors. He is esteemed a very good mathematician”. Despite the praise, Jefferson never adopted any of De Witt’s proposals during his presidency.