Whereas the office of one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States is at present vacant, Now Know Ye, that reposing espeical Trust and Confidence in the Wisdom, Uprightness and Learning of Bushrod Washington of Virginia— I do appoint him one of the Associate Justices of the said Supreme Court of the United States, and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfil the Duties of that Office according to the Constitution and Laws of the said United States; and to have and to hold the said office with all the Powers, Privileges and Emoluments to the same of Right appertaining, unto him the said Bushrod Washington during his good Behaviour, and until the end of the next Session of the Senate of the United States and no longer.

In testimony whereof, I have caused these Letters to be made Patent and the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed.

Given under my hand, at the City of Philadelphia, the twenty ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of the said States the Twenty-third.