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George Washington Autograph Document Signed. ...
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Description
George Washington Autograph Document Signed. One page, 7.75" x 12.5" (sight), no place [Mount Vernon]; November 30, 1786. Manuscript power of attorney appointing Colonel John Canon as an agent for the management of Washington's property in Millers Run in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The document is penned entirely in Washington's hand, excepting Canon's name, and reads, in part:"I do by these present constitute and appoint Colonel John Canon My agent and lawful attorney for the purpose of Renting my Lands on Millers Run, in Washington County, and State of Pensylvania [sic]; and this he is at liberty to do either for Cash, or on shares, as he shall judge most condusive [sic] to my interest; but not for a longer term than one year, and so annually afterwards until this power shall be revoked. - I also give the said John Canon full power to collect the said Rents; and if in specific articles, to dispose of the same to the best advantage for Cash... I do moreover, in case the present occupants should incline to leave their farms, and a difficulty should arise in obtaining others, hereby request and authorize the said John Canon to procure on the best terms he can one or more persons, as the exigency of the case may require, to live on the said lands for the purpose of preserving the buildings, orchards, Meadows, Pastures & fences from Ruin, or any sort of injury; and whatever engagements he may enter into therefor..." Signed, "Go: Washington." Witnessed by Washington's secretary, Tobias Lear.
Shortly after the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, Washington returned to his beloved Mount Vernon and attempted to settle back into life as a planter. While attending to the management of his extensive lands, he learned that a stretch of property in Millers Run had become occupied by squatters while he was engaged in fighting the British. Washington was then forced to acquire documentation refuting the homesteaders' claims of pre-occupancy, and on November 7, 1786, he received word that the litigation was decided in his favor. Fearing a similar situation might arise again, Washington followed his attorney's recommendation and began looking for someone in that area to supervise his land. On November 28, the future president wrote to John Canon, (circa 1740-1798), who was a justice of the peace and fellow landowner in Washington County, to assume that duty.
Two days later, on the same date as this power of attorney, Washington wrote to his secretary, Tobias Lear, ordering him to meet with Canon concerning this business, in which he references this specific document, writing: "The name of the person accepting the trust must be inserted in the blank power herewith given you." Although Canon was his first choice, that portion of the document was left blank, and Lear was to broach his employer's second, and if necessary third, choice, if necessary. Washington displayed his typical magnanimity when he offered to allow the squatters to remain on his land as tenants or purchasers, writing: "The condition the last is in you will examine and inform the residents thereon of the person I have named as my Agent-and though they have little right to expect favor from me, yet I have no inclination to distress them more than can be avoided."
Unfortunately, Canon's management of the land left much to be desired and he was dismissed by Washington in 1794. He informed Canon of his dismissal by letter on June 16, 1794, writing: "The continual disappointment I meet with in the receipt of my Rents under your Collection in the Counties of Fayette & Washington, lays me under the painful necessity of placing this business in other hands." The document is accompanied by an LOA from PSA/DNA. It has been attractively matted and framed to the overall size of 12.75" x 18". Not examined outside of the frame. From the Joel Levin Collection.
References: "From George Washington to John Canon, 28 November 1786;" "From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 30 November 1786;" "From George Washington to Presley Nevill, 16 June 1794," Founders Online, National Archives.
Condition: Toned with minor scattered soiling. Evidence of expert restoration to folds and edgewear at upper margin.
Auction Info
2023 February 22 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6260 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2023
22nd
Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 16
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