WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Autograph letter signed ("G:Washington") to Robert Lewis, the caretaker of Mount Vernon; Mount Vernon, 11 February 1798. 2 1/4 pages, 4to, 225 x 190mm. (8 3/4 x 7 1/2 in.) . Fine. Boldly signed. WASHINGTON PONDERS THE MANAGEMENT OF HIS FRONTIER LANDS Former President Washington, retired for less than a year, instructs his caretaker: "With regard to my Land above Bath [near Berkeley Springs, West Virginia], I am really at a loss what direction to give concerning it. To have the valuable Walnut trees, with which it abounds, taken off, by a parcel of lawless intruders, is extremely disagreeable (if they can not be punished) on the one hand, and for the sake of obtaining a better Rent, to engage to take them off myself, within a given period, and that perhaps a short one, would be attended with great inconvenience, perhaps expence and loss, on the other. For unless I could get them [the logs] to this place the cost of felling, preparing them for transportation, and attending them down the River would be a dead charge, and without the latter was done, that is to attend the logs down, I should not get one of them; of course all that preceded would be lost. I see but two modes by which I can be benefitted by these Logs; one to let some person occupy the land without paying Rent, for the sole consideration of taking care of them. The other, if a good rent could be obtained, to oblige the Tenant to deliver them to me , noting the quantity of the trees, at a certain price, to be allowed out of the Rent. A third method indeed occurs, but it is one by which I should, apparently, get little for them, namely, to sell them on the spot: and yet ultimately, if they would sell there for near their value, it might be the most productive mode of the three. Under this dilemma, make the best investigation of the subject you can, and act as shall seem most conducive to my interest. I am not inclined to give a lease for more than Seven years , and if the tenant is permitted to kill the Walnuts by girdling the trees, I do not believe that the Crops would sustain much injury by their standing. They would season in this manner, and a few years hence, when the Navigation of the River is in a more improved state might be brought down with more ease and safety. Perhaps, upon the whole, this may be found the most eligable [ sic ] Plan..." Published in Writings , ed. J.C. Fitzpatrick, 36: 162-164.
WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Autograph letter signed ("G:Washington") to Robert Lewis, the caretaker of Mount Vernon; Mount Vernon, 11 February 1798. 2 1/4 pages, 4to, 225 x 190mm. (8 3/4 x 7 1/2 in.) . Fine. Boldly signed. WASHINGTON PONDERS THE MANAGEMENT OF HIS FRONTIER LANDS Former President Washington, retired for less than a year, instructs his caretaker: "With regard to my Land above Bath [near Berkeley Springs, West Virginia], I am really at a loss what direction to give concerning it. To have the valuable Walnut trees, with which it abounds, taken off, by a parcel of lawless intruders, is extremely disagreeable (if they can not be punished) on the one hand, and for the sake of obtaining a better Rent, to engage to take them off myself, within a given period, and that perhaps a short one, would be attended with great inconvenience, perhaps expence and loss, on the other. For unless I could get them [the logs] to this place the cost of felling, preparing them for transportation, and attending them down the River would be a dead charge, and without the latter was done, that is to attend the logs down, I should not get one of them; of course all that preceded would be lost. I see but two modes by which I can be benefitted by these Logs; one to let some person occupy the land without paying Rent, for the sole consideration of taking care of them. The other, if a good rent could be obtained, to oblige the Tenant to deliver them to me , noting the quantity of the trees, at a certain price, to be allowed out of the Rent. A third method indeed occurs, but it is one by which I should, apparently, get little for them, namely, to sell them on the spot: and yet ultimately, if they would sell there for near their value, it might be the most productive mode of the three. Under this dilemma, make the best investigation of the subject you can, and act as shall seem most conducive to my interest. I am not inclined to give a lease for more than Seven years , and if the tenant is permitted to kill the Walnuts by girdling the trees, I do not believe that the Crops would sustain much injury by their standing. They would season in this manner, and a few years hence, when the Navigation of the River is in a more improved state might be brought down with more ease and safety. Perhaps, upon the whole, this may be found the most eligable [ sic ] Plan..." Published in Writings , ed. J.C. Fitzpatrick, 36: 162-164.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
