Details
WASHINGTON, GEORGE, 1732-1799, President. Autograph letter signed ("G:Washington") TO PATRICK HENRY, Mount Vernon, 5 March 1786. 1 page, 4to, 229 x 185mm. (9 x 7 1/4 in.), integral address leaf cleanly detached, slightly browned and a bit brittle [With:] Autograph free frank ("G:Washington") on address panel, boldly addressed in Washington's hand: "His Excell[enc]y Patrick Henry Governor at Richmond," and DOCKETED BY PATRICK HENRY: "Genl. Washington Letter refusing to take Criminals," part of red wax seal intact, seal holes, minor defects at extreme edges.
WASHINGTON TO PATRICK HENRY, DECLINING TO USE PRISON LABOR ON THE POTOMAC AND JAMES RIVER CANAL PROJECT
An interesting letter linking two of the great Virginia patriots. Henry, Governor of Virginia since 1784, had offered Washington, President of the Potomac and James River Navigation Company, the labor of six convicted felons for the Potomac canal project. Washington politely declines: "Your Excellency's favor of the 6th ulto. came duly to hand, but I had no opportunity before the 2nd inst. of laying it before the Directors of the Potomack Company. By the board, I am desired to inform your Excellency, that they decline taking the six felons in the public goal, at the same time that they feel themselves obliged by the offer..." Writings of Washington, ed. J.C. Fitzpatrick, 28:388-389.
Washington had nominally retired from public life since 1783. The project of an interconnecting network of roads, navigable rivers and man-made canals, to link the Potomac and James Rivers to the western interior regions of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and the Ohio River valley was enthusiastically endorsed and supported by Washington from its inception. He rather reluctantly agreed to accept the Presidency of the Board of Directors of the company. By January 1785 capital amounting to some L50,000 had been subscribed and enabling legislation approved by Maryland and Virginia. Routes were under study and initial work begun at several locations using slave and hired laborers. Washington became a shareholder as well: in February 1785 the General Assembly of Virginia voted to purchase fifty shares of stock in the Potomac Company as a gift to Washington for his loyal service during the Revolutionary War (his gracious letter of thanks to Governor Henry is in Fitzpatrick, 28:89-90.
WASHINGTON TO PATRICK HENRY, DECLINING TO USE PRISON LABOR ON THE POTOMAC AND JAMES RIVER CANAL PROJECT
An interesting letter linking two of the great Virginia patriots. Henry, Governor of Virginia since 1784, had offered Washington, President of the Potomac and James River Navigation Company, the labor of six convicted felons for the Potomac canal project. Washington politely declines: "Your Excellency's favor of the 6th ulto. came duly to hand, but I had no opportunity before the 2nd inst. of laying it before the Directors of the Potomack Company. By the board, I am desired to inform your Excellency, that they decline taking the six felons in the public goal, at the same time that they feel themselves obliged by the offer..." Writings of Washington, ed. J.C. Fitzpatrick, 28:388-389.
Washington had nominally retired from public life since 1783. The project of an interconnecting network of roads, navigable rivers and man-made canals, to link the Potomac and James Rivers to the western interior regions of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and the Ohio River valley was enthusiastically endorsed and supported by Washington from its inception. He rather reluctantly agreed to accept the Presidency of the Board of Directors of the company. By January 1785 capital amounting to some L50,000 had been subscribed and enabling legislation approved by Maryland and Virginia. Routes were under study and initial work begun at several locations using slave and hired laborers. Washington became a shareholder as well: in February 1785 the General Assembly of Virginia voted to purchase fifty shares of stock in the Potomac Company as a gift to Washington for his loyal service during the Revolutionary War (his gracious letter of thanks to Governor Henry is in Fitzpatrick, 28:89-90.