WASHINGTON, Martha Dandridge Custis, First Lady. Autograph letter signed "M Washington") to Frances (Fanny) Bassett (Mrs. George Augustine) Washington, Mount Vernon, 25 February 1788. 4 pages, 4to, 233 x 193 mm. (96 x 76 in.), second leaf with small fold separations repaired, the ink of letter and signature quite faded and legible with difficulty, double matted to display both sides and enclosed in a giltwood frame. "BUT POLITICKS...I DO NOT CONCERN MYSELF ABOUT" A chatty domestic letter to the daughter of Col. and Mrs. Bassett. Fanny married President Washington's favorite nephew, George Augustine Washington (1763-1793), the son of President Washington's brother, Charles Washington (1738-1799). Major Washington was the manager of Mount Vernon, but his poor health eventually caused General Washington to replace him in this position. Dr. James Craik, referred to here by Martha, was one of the General's best and most intimate friends and was one of the physicians summoned to Washington's death bed on 14 December, 1799. "My dear Fanny, I was very happy to hear by the Major that you arrived...without accident and that he left you very well with your friends...as you know that business is the cause of his leaving you I trust that you will endeavor to reconcile yourself to his absence...if he does not attend to his affairs he will get nothing done & if his people does not make bread how will he be able to pay the taxes if nothing else was wanting[.]...We have not a simple article of news but politicks which I do not conscern myself about. I wish you could see the papers that come here every week as you are fond of reading them." She describes a recent wedding, comments on the unusually cold weather and mutual friends, then adds: "My dear little children have all been very sick, but today my pretty little Dear Boy complains of a pain in his stomach...a good nights sleep I think will carry off his complaints altogether. I cannot say but it makes me miserable if ever he complains let the cause be ever so trifling. I hope the Almighty will spare him to me." "The General [Washington] did not get up the river as he intended he got a bad cold and the dismal weakness together prevented, - tho he did set out on Saturday with an intention to reach Mr. Fairfax's that night but some disappointment in finding the way caused him to turn back - the Colo. seemed to bear his disappointment with tolerable patience... The fireside and Mt. Vernon and the shawl keep the weather outside. The General is very sick - as for myself I am dismal and rather sick as well..." Letters of Martha are rare. Published in Worthy Partner: The Papers of Martha Washington, ed. Joseph E. Fields, pp.205-206.
WASHINGTON, Martha Dandridge Custis, First Lady. Autograph letter signed "M Washington") to Frances (Fanny) Bassett (Mrs. George Augustine) Washington, Mount Vernon, 25 February 1788. 4 pages, 4to, 233 x 193 mm. (96 x 76 in.), second leaf with small fold separations repaired, the ink of letter and signature quite faded and legible with difficulty, double matted to display both sides and enclosed in a giltwood frame. "BUT POLITICKS...I DO NOT CONCERN MYSELF ABOUT" A chatty domestic letter to the daughter of Col. and Mrs. Bassett. Fanny married President Washington's favorite nephew, George Augustine Washington (1763-1793), the son of President Washington's brother, Charles Washington (1738-1799). Major Washington was the manager of Mount Vernon, but his poor health eventually caused General Washington to replace him in this position. Dr. James Craik, referred to here by Martha, was one of the General's best and most intimate friends and was one of the physicians summoned to Washington's death bed on 14 December, 1799. "My dear Fanny, I was very happy to hear by the Major that you arrived...without accident and that he left you very well with your friends...as you know that business is the cause of his leaving you I trust that you will endeavor to reconcile yourself to his absence...if he does not attend to his affairs he will get nothing done & if his people does not make bread how will he be able to pay the taxes if nothing else was wanting[.]...We have not a simple article of news but politicks which I do not conscern myself about. I wish you could see the papers that come here every week as you are fond of reading them." She describes a recent wedding, comments on the unusually cold weather and mutual friends, then adds: "My dear little children have all been very sick, but today my pretty little Dear Boy complains of a pain in his stomach...a good nights sleep I think will carry off his complaints altogether. I cannot say but it makes me miserable if ever he complains let the cause be ever so trifling. I hope the Almighty will spare him to me." "The General [Washington] did not get up the river as he intended he got a bad cold and the dismal weakness together prevented, - tho he did set out on Saturday with an intention to reach Mr. Fairfax's that night but some disappointment in finding the way caused him to turn back - the Colo. seemed to bear his disappointment with tolerable patience... The fireside and Mt. Vernon and the shawl keep the weather outside. The General is very sick - as for myself I am dismal and rather sick as well..." Letters of Martha are rare. Published in Worthy Partner: The Papers of Martha Washington, ed. Joseph E. Fields, pp.205-206.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
