Oct 27, 2022 - Sale 2619

Sale 2619 - Lot 89

Price Realized: $ 17,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 25,000 - $ 35,000
WASHINGTON THE LANDLORD WASHINGTON, GEORGE. Autograph Letter Signed, "G:Washington," to his rental agent Battaile Muse ("Sir"), acknowledging receipt of his recent letters, requesting that he hold the bonds of Henry Whiting [tenant on his lot in Berkely County, WV], promising to arrange a rental [for Muse's use], requesting that he not compel Whiting to pay taxes on the lot unless his lease requires it, and, in a postscript: "Mrs. Washington begs you would get from some of my Tenants, or others, 10 or a doz'n lbs of good hackled Flax for her." 1 page, 4to, with integral address leaf (inlaid within same sheet as letter leaf, back-to-back); holes from seal tears and fold intersections expertly repaired with paper, faint scattered soiling. Mount Vernon, 5 February 1785
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". . . The Bonds which you have taken from Mr Whiting had better remain in your hands until they are discharged and by the time you propose to be at Belvoir in April I will endeavor to prepare a proper rental for you if it shall be in my power from the pressure of other matters.
". . . [T]he Tenants should pay the taxes of their own Lotts but if the Leases neither expresses nor implies it I do not suppose there is anything else to compel them--consequently Mr Whiting must be allowed such sums as he has actually paid--look however at his Lease & judge yourself of the fact as I speak more from what ought to be perhaps than what really is, and do not want to enter into an improper litigation of the matter."
Published in The Writings of George Washington, Vol 28, ed. John C. Fitzpatrick (Washington, 1938), 62.