.jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY OF A DESCENDANT OF TOBIAS LEAR (1762-1816)
WASHINGTON, George. Manuscript document signed ("Go:Washington"), n.p., 10 February 1787. 1½ pages, folio, reinforcement of left margin, otherwise fine.
Details
WASHINGTON, George. Manuscript document signed ("Go:Washington"), n.p., 10 February 1787. 1½ pages, folio, reinforcement of left margin, otherwise fine.
WASHINGTON'S STRATEGEM TO RID HIMSELF OF AN UNRULY TENANT: "I BELIEVE HIM TO BE A BAD MAN"
An unusual document by which George Washington purchases the lease of Edward Williams in lieu of a law-suit that he had filed against the man for damages to Mount Vernon. The future president, annoyed by the activities of Williams, had written to David Stuart on December 6, 1786: "I have a tenant, one Edward Williams, who I want to punish, because I believe him to be a bad man. I pray you therefore to send me a General Court Writ for him...to frighten, not really to hurt him, is my object...He pulls down my fences which are good, and adjoining to him, to let his stock into my Inclosures for the benefit of better pastures than his own. The consequence is, that besides the injury I sustain by having my pastures a common, my stock go out and get into his fields, which have not lawful fences, and are there maimed and killed. One Hog of near 200 weight his people were caught in the act of killing; several others of equal size are missing, and no doubt is entertained of their having shared this fate. My wish therefore is to lay the damages high to scare him" (Fitzpatrick, Writings, 29, p. 108).
Washington's efforts to "scare" Williams succeeded. In February, Williams sought to sell the land in order to have the suit dropped. The document establishes the removal of Williams from the property: "Edward, with his family; Stock, and Property of every kind, will remove off the premises by the last day of may next ensuing...and will give...no interruption to the said George Washington, or any person employed under him, in removing the rails, or new modelling the Plantation so as to best answer the purposes of the said George Washington." In return, Washington agrees to pay "the sum of Twenty pounds currt. money of Virginia" and "to dismiss a Suit which he had instituted against the said Edward Williams...without subjecting the said Edward to any Cost or damages therefrom." Washington agrees to allow Williams to continue to live on the premises until the end of May, maintaining livestock on the property, "provided they are kept off the Wheat." Washington also agrees to compromise on Williams default on rent: "George Washington doth further agree to deduct one hundred and thirty pounds of Tobacco from the rent which became due on the 25t. day of December last."
Washington was particularly anxious to expand his estate at Mount Vernon and watched closely for opportunities: "expanding into surrounding property whenever a piece could somehow be brought on the market or even rented for a long term" (Flexner, George Washington and the New Nation, p. 40).
WASHINGTON'S STRATEGEM TO RID HIMSELF OF AN UNRULY TENANT: "I BELIEVE HIM TO BE A BAD MAN"
An unusual document by which George Washington purchases the lease of Edward Williams in lieu of a law-suit that he had filed against the man for damages to Mount Vernon. The future president, annoyed by the activities of Williams, had written to David Stuart on December 6, 1786: "I have a tenant, one Edward Williams, who I want to punish, because I believe him to be a bad man. I pray you therefore to send me a General Court Writ for him...to frighten, not really to hurt him, is my object...He pulls down my fences which are good, and adjoining to him, to let his stock into my Inclosures for the benefit of better pastures than his own. The consequence is, that besides the injury I sustain by having my pastures a common, my stock go out and get into his fields, which have not lawful fences, and are there maimed and killed. One Hog of near 200 weight his people were caught in the act of killing; several others of equal size are missing, and no doubt is entertained of their having shared this fate. My wish therefore is to lay the damages high to scare him" (Fitzpatrick, Writings, 29, p. 108).
Washington's efforts to "scare" Williams succeeded. In February, Williams sought to sell the land in order to have the suit dropped. The document establishes the removal of Williams from the property: "Edward, with his family; Stock, and Property of every kind, will remove off the premises by the last day of may next ensuing...and will give...no interruption to the said George Washington, or any person employed under him, in removing the rails, or new modelling the Plantation so as to best answer the purposes of the said George Washington." In return, Washington agrees to pay "the sum of Twenty pounds currt. money of Virginia" and "to dismiss a Suit which he had instituted against the said Edward Williams...without subjecting the said Edward to any Cost or damages therefrom." Washington agrees to allow Williams to continue to live on the premises until the end of May, maintaining livestock on the property, "provided they are kept off the Wheat." Washington also agrees to compromise on Williams default on rent: "George Washington doth further agree to deduct one hundred and thirty pounds of Tobacco from the rent which became due on the 25t. day of December last."
Washington was particularly anxious to expand his estate at Mount Vernon and watched closely for opportunities: "expanding into surrounding property whenever a piece could somehow be brought on the market or even rented for a long term" (Flexner, George Washington and the New Nation, p. 40).