Washington, George | Washington seeks compensation for his interest in the Dismal Swamp Company

Washington, George

Autograph letter signed ("Go: Washington") to Gustavus Scott, seeking updates on bank shares and livestock

1 ½ pages (222 x 187 mm) on a bifolium, integral autograph address leaf directed to Scott in Washington, "Favoured by Mr. T. Peter," large remnant of Washington's black wax seal; short fold separations, pinholes at intersecting folds, address leaf lightly soiled.

A few months after leaving the presidency, Washington turns his attention to personal matters, financial and farming, with the assistance of Gustavus Scott. Scott, a Maryland lawyer who had studied at the Middle Temple in London, spent a good part of Washington's first term trying to wheedle a judicial appointment from the chief executive. In 1794, his persistence was rewarded with his appointment as one of the commissioners to superintend the erection of the public buildings in Washington, D.C.

Washington begins this letter by concluding a matter he and Scott had previously corresponded about: a bull calf offered to Washington by Edward Lloyd of Maryland's Eastern Shore. Washington was uncertain if the animal was a gift or offered for sale. After Scott had clarified that the calf was intended as a gift, Washington was prepared to accept it. "Your favor of the 22d Inst. was received by the Post of last night, and by Monday’s Mail I will request the favour of Colo. Ramsay to receive, & notify me, of the arrival of any calf Mr. Lloyd may be so good as to forward to Baltimore, on my account."

The greater part of the letter concerns the delinquent transfer to Washington of stock in the Bank of Columbia in Georgetown. Washington was owed the shares by Henry Lee, who, in November 1795, had purchased Washington's interest in the Dismal Swamp Company. "By the last letter of Reed and Ford, to me, I had an assurance, that under any circumstance the deficient shares should be transferred by this time; if then, before you set out for Philadelphia it should be convenient for you to know whether they have taken effectual measures for this purpose, it would oblige me.—If this is done, the matter, as it respects them, will be closed:—on the contrary, if you would be so good while in Philadelphia to let those Gentlemen know that their obligation is in your hands, and that I cannot let the matter rest upon the event of their buying the shares under the Market price, & that I must do my self justice if they will not, it would add to the obligations you have already conferred on me in this business." The transfer of stock was completed in July 1797.

In a postscript, Washington adds another small task for Scott: "Upon second thought, I have put the letter for Colo. Ramsay under this cover—& open, to be sealed by you."

REFERENCE:

The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series, ed. Abbot, 1: 208 (not locating the original; text from the letterpress copy, lacking the postscript and with several errors in incidentals) 

PROVENANCE:

Sotheby Parke Bernet, 29 April 1980, lot 90 (undesiganted consignor)