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Sale 2
Lot 36
DAYS BEFORE THE BOSTON TEA PARTY, WASHINGTON BUSIES HIMSELF WITH LEGAL MATTERS. As he mentions in his letter, George Washington had recently attended the Williamsburg Conference, at which a great deal of discussion was given over to the abuses meted out by the British against the colonists. Because of the increasing number of difficulties in Boston, an irate Washington rose at the Conference and proclaimed "I will raise a thousand men, subsist them at my own expense, and march with them, at their head, for the relief of Boston." He little dreamed at that moment that Boston would soon turn into a powder keg, followed by an eruption across the entire country calling for, and finally receiving, independence.
This letter, which deals with the sale of an estate that Washington had some interest in, since it was near Mt. Vernon, is moderately browned, suffers one small chip at upper right corner (affecting part of the date), and has undergone restoration to the center fold (several other folds are partially separated.) Boldly penned and eaisily discerned, this Washington letter is in Very Good condition and suitable for any collection. Housed in a custom half morocco and cloth folder, with a steel engraving and mounted description, within a custom-made slip case. 1st President of the United States, 1789-1797.
Autograph Letter Signed. Two pages, recto/verso, Folio, Mount Vernon, December 10, 1773. Washington writes to "The Hon.ble John Tayloe Esq.r," apparently a neighbor. Letter reads in full (errors intact):
"Dear Sir, Thinking it necessary that Mr. Montague should be advised of the steps which have been taken in consequence of the Power of Attorney with'choice he Inclosed to you, Col. Mason, & myself, I wrote the Inclosed Letter, & thought to have sent it to you from Williamsburg; but other business, and an attendance upon those with whom I had various matters to negotiate, occasion'd my neglecting it.
For the reason's assigned in the Letter (herewith sent) which might be a good deal enlarged upon, and upon consulting Mr. Waller as to the propriety, & legality of the measure, I am fully convinced of the utility of postponing the Sale of every part of the Estate til after finishing of the next crop, which Mr. Mercer assures me will probably be large, as there is a great deal of wheat sown in very fine land, which shall be applied in discharge of Mr. Gravat's Mortgage. If therefore you shall concur with me in this opinion, and approve of the Letter in other parts, a place is left for you to Sign it, that it may be dispatched by the first opper'ty after getting to your hands. If on the other hand, you disapprove of the time of Sale, or the Letter generally, please to destroy it & write anything else you choose.
The original Deed to Mess. Hunter & Dick, being, as Mr. Mercer says, taken out of the Secretary's Office by Mr. Thompson Mason, before it was recorded, prevented my getting an attested copy of that, & Col. Mercers Letter of Attorney to his brother whilst I was down; but I have requested Mr. James Mercer to furnish me with these Papers as soon as possible, in order that they may be forwarded to Mr. Montague.
I have only my best respects to add to Mr. Taylor, & to assure you that I am with very great esteem D'r Sir, Yr Most Obed. & Hble Serv. G:Washington.".
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Ex. Superior Galleries February 2, 1994 Auction, lot 344.
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