Jun 12 at 12:00 PM - Sale 2708 -

Sale 2708 - Lot 197

Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
(GEORGE WASHINGTON.) The president's heirs agree to regain control of his Dismal Swamp Company stock from bankrupt Harry Lee. Autograph Letter Signed by John Thornton Augustine Washington as "John A. Washington" and additionally signed by Samuel Washington, to Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis. One page, 10 x 7¾ inches, plus integral blank docketed "Thornton & Sam Washington"; mailing folds, minor wear and toning; no postal markings. Berry Hill near Charles Town, VA (now WV), May 1809
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The Great Dismal Swamp is a vast tract of wilderness straddling Virginia and North Carolina. George Washington perceived money to be made from draining and clearing the swamp, and helped launch the Dismal Swamp Company in 1763. The swamp proved difficult to drain, and the Revolution was a distraction; the company never turned a profit during his lifetime. In frustration, he agreed to sell his company shares in 1795 to his close friend Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee, the famous general. The agreed-upon sale price was $20,000, but Lee was only able to pay about $750 of the bill before severe financial problems bogged him down. The Washington heirs had only minimal knowledge of the details of the purchase. When Lee was put in debtor's prison in 1809, he proposed an honorable way to get out of this particular debt: he wanted to give back the Dismal Swamp shares to the Washington heirs, and waive the approximately $750 he had already paid.

Washington's executors Bushrod Washington and Lawrence Lewis embraced this plan--they probably saw little chance of squeezing General Lee for the remaining balance, and preferred to have the stock back in the estate. The plan needed approval from Washington's numerous heirs, though--an estate does not normally acquire property. On 13 May 1809, they drafted a broadside circular addressed "To the Legatees of Gen. Washington" and sent it to all the cousins.

Offered here is a response to the circular, from two of the president's great-nephews: half-brothers John Thornton Augustine Washington (1783-1841) and Samuel Washington (1787-1867). You may perhaps have had trouble following the history of the Dismal Swamp stock shares, and so did these two young nephews. In response to their distinguished elder cousins, they basically repeated back the story, and then gave their blanket approval. In full:

"Your letter by post of May 13th came safe to hand, in which you state, that our testator, sometime before his death, sold his Dismal Swamp property to Gen. Lee, without, however, haveing made a deed for the same. Some part of the consideration money was paid, but the exact amount is not now recollected. You state also that Gen. Lee has lately proposed to rescind the contract, without requiring a return of the money paid by him; and believing that the property is likely to become very valuable, and could now be sold for a good price, it is your decided opinion, that his offer ought to be accepted. Upon this subject we pretend to have very little knowledge, consequently our opinion must be made up from the argument urged in your letter. It will therefore only be necessary for us to say that we concur with you in opinion, and do consent as far as we are interested that the proposition which you state to have been made by Gen. Lee should be accepted of."

The decision was correct. The company began turning its first profits the very next year through lumber sales. However, the Great Dismal Swamp is now a national wildlife refuge--and still very much a swamp.

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