(Washington, George)

John Hancock. Autograph letter signed ("Jn Hancock"), 4 pages (9 1/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 232 x 195 mm) on a bifolium watermarked posthorn | 1796, Baltimore, 22 May 1799, to J. Nicholson.

An intimate view of Mount Vernon and the character of George Washington by the nephew of the Signer with the same name. "I have just returned from Mount Vernon, where I have been to pay my best respects to Genl. Washington, he treated me in a very polite manner; I had also the honor of dining with him—his Lady is a charming agreeable Woman. … You would be delighted with his Seat, & his farm is in the highest state of Cultivation—he owns upwards of 500 slaves & they all are as happy as Lords. My friend Colo. Lear supposes him to be worth a Million of Dollars. You would be surprized to find what an uniform Life he leads, every thing he does is by method & system—he rises at day break, breakfasts at 7 aCLo, dines at 3 aCLo, retires to bed at 10—he keeps a journal where he records every thing that transpires from day to day, & it is impossible that any action of his life, can give him the least remorse—he is a model of the highest perfection. …"