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Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
TO WASHINGTON FROM HIS STEPSON, DOCKETED IN WASHINGTON'S HAND CUSTIS, JOHN PARKE. Autograph Letter Signed, "JPCustis," to his stepfather George Washington, reporting on a bountiful French cargo just arrived in port and the latest from the Virginia legislature, and conveying greetings to his mother Martha. Docketed in George Washington's hand on terminal page "From Jno. Parke Custis Esq 29th May 1778." 3 pages, folio; worn at edges and closed separations at folds with slight loss, ink note below Washington docket. Williamsburg [VA], 29 May 1778
When he wrote this letter, Custis was 23 years old, a newly elected member of the Virginia General Assembly, and step-son of the commander of the Continental Army. Here he writes to General Washington with important war-related news: "It is with much pleasure I inform you of the safe arrival of a French fifty gun ship in Hampton Road yesterday. I have just parted with the Capt. at the Governor's. He has brought the most valuable cargo that has arrived since the war. Cloth & linen suficient for fifteen thousand men, four thousand suits ready made, a great number of soldiers blankets, some military stores." Custis also reports on the Virginia legislature: "Three bills have passed the House of Delegates for reinforceing the Army. One for raising 2000 volunteers . . . a second for raising 350 horsemen . . . The third is to recruit the regiments. . . . I think we have now offered the most generous terms, and if they do not inlist, they must be drafted." Custis refrains from any family commentary until the postscript: "P.S. I presume before this reachs you mamma will have left camp. If she has not, be pleased to give my love & thanks for her affectionate letter. . . . Nelly will write to her on a supposition she is at Mt. Vernon. Nelly tenders her affecte. regards to you." Custis died in 1781 of a fever contracted during the Siege of Yorktown. Published in Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, 15:252-3.
