Auction Name: 2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 42048

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6331*42048

Tobias Lear Autograph Letter Signed. ("Tobias Lear"). Four pages on two leaves, 10 x 7 3/4 inches; Philadelphia; April 18, 1792.

George Washington's secretary, Tobias Lear, responds on George Washington's behalf to John Rutherford, inquiring of the ownership and legal status of land in Frederick County, Virginia. Lear writes, in part:

"When Colo. George Mercer (not James, as mentioned in the letter left with me) was in England he took up money there from two persons, for which he mortgaged his estate in Virginia. His brother James Mercer having been left by George in charge of his estate, with a full power of Attorney as James supposed respecting the management of it, found it necessary, to answer some purposes relative thereto, to give a mortgage also on the estate, not knowing what his brother had done in England.

...George Mercer sent a power of Attorney to George Mason, George Washington and John Tayloe to sell his estate; but when it was found that there were three mortgages upon the estate, and a dispute arose whether the last that was made in England, or that made by James should have the preference, it was at length determined by consent of parties...that Washington & Tayloe (Mason having refused to act) should sell the Estate, and the money arising therefrom be made liable to the further order of the Court to be paid...the President (then Colo. Washington) and Colo. Tayloe, the Attornies of George Mercer, were authorized by the Court, as they before had been by George Mercer and his Mortgagees to sell the estate on twelve months credit...James Mercer, alledging that he was a Creditor of his brother's, became a purchaser of some of the lots by way of securing himself, and Edward Snickers (the President believes) was likewise a purchaser...James Mercer afterwards sold to Snickers some of the lots which he had purchased, which with Snickers purchase (if he made any in his own name) at the public sale, made up the whole quantity held by Snickers...

The President's memory will not permit him to say with certainty what quantity of the land Snickers bought from the attornies, if any: or what from James Mercer. - But the President recollects his having applied to him, he thinks in the year 1778 at Camp, in order to obtain deeds, but as he had long before given up the whole business to Colo. Tayloe, he declined doing anything in it. -

The President further adds, that, so far as his memory serves him, he does not think that Snickers ever had deeds for any part of the land. - And under the present circumstances of the case, and considering the length of time since he has had any agency in the business, the President declines doing anything in this matter, unless it shall appear absolutely necessary for him to act in it, and, in the opinion of the best judges, that he shall not be liable to any inconvenience therefrom hereafter. - Should these two points be established, the President will cheerfully and with pleasure comply with your wishes...

I have the honor to be,
With great respect & esteem,
Sir,
Your most obedt Servt
Tobias Lear."

A full transcript of the letter is available in the lot's extended description online.

This letter, written on April 18, 1792 when Washington was President, reflects the resuming of life and it's unresolved affairs after the American Revolutionary War. George Mercer took out a loan in England for land he owned in Virginia and his brother, James Mercer, also mortgaged the same land, creating multiple conflicting claims on the property. The High Court of Chancery ruled in favor of selling the land so the debts could be settled and George Washington (then Colonel) and John Tayloe were appointed as trustees. The land was divided into lots and sold in 1774-75, and a man named Edward Snickers purchased one of the plots. Washington asks for clarity whether or not Snickers actually obtained legal title to the land. Wealthy elites were heavily involved in land speculation in early America and the war interrupted what was already a convoluted issue. Washington, in his first term and nearing reelection, does not want legal trouble and attempts to sort these issues.

Condition: In overall very fine condition, the pages warmly toned with strong ink retention in neat, legible script. The fold lines with some repairs along the edges minorly affecting text and minor edgewear in general, particularly last page bottom left. Negligible light scattered stains.

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