William MacCreery to John Adams, December 11, 1790

Baltimore 11 December 1790

Dear Sir

Altho’ it be the fate of persons high in power to be exposed to the
importunity of the many, and they are obliged not only to suffer, but submit to it, I
assure you I feel much repugnance in troubling you with this letter. 1

The arrival of a Vessell here in the last summer with a number of
German-passengers after a very tedious voyage, having communicated a contagious
distemper to some of the inhabitants, hath at last convinced us of the necessity of a
Pest-house near this Town, and consequently of the appointment of a health-officer; and
having of late been rather over stock’d with Gentlemen of the Faculty, not less than
seven have started for this small plate! 2 It is for this reason that I have interested myself in behalf of my Freind &
Neighbour Doctor John Coulter—not merely because he is my Freind and neighbour, but
because he is well qualified for the place, and has, in my oppinion, a better claim to
it than any other person whatever. He has resided in this Town upwards of Twenty Years;
has been a steady, uniform patriot, served in our Navy, and several Years on the Bench
with much reputation. He has rendered most essential service to his Country in the late
conflicts with the enemies of the present Constitution; having served in our assembly
that Year to the no small prejudice of his Family. All this is well known to M r. Carroll of the Senate, & to M r. Smith of the lower House, to whom I beg leave to refer you. Doctor Coulter
wou’d not have needed my recommendation on this occasion, had not his competitors got a
great start of him in their applications for Petitions & certificates; as they
reside in Town, & he at the Point—the latter however is the most eligible situation
for the office he solicits. If the appointment rested with the inhabitants of this Town
at large, there is no doubt but D r. Coulter wou’d carry it by a very large Majority; Doctor Gilder (one of the applicants) having
served all, or most of the war as surgeon in the Army, has certainly strong claims on
the public , but Doctor Coulters situation, long residence
and services amongst us, gives him I think, a superior claim to the place in question,
to all the other candidates.

Let me therefore beg of you, Sir, in virtue of that goodness you
were wont to shew me on former occasions, that any services you can render Doctor
Coulter in this bussiness, with propriety, may be done, and placed to my debit—for his
good conduct therein, if appointed, I venture to hold myself responsable—

With the greatest respect, & most sincere attachment I have the
honor to be / Dear Sir / Your Obliged H le Serv t.

Will MacCreery