- More
George Washington Autograph Letter Signed...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.Description
President Washington tries to "keep the wheels moving" on construction of the new "Federal City"
George Washington Autograph Letter Signed "G:Washington" as president to Robert Morris. One page, 7" x 9", Philadelphia, December 3, 1795. Less than two years before Washington's second presidential term ended, he writes this letter to financier Robert Morris concerning financial difficulties faced in the construction of the new "Federal City." In full:"Dear Sir,
I can add nothing in support of the extract on the other side, that was not contained in a former letter from me to you on the same subject. But I would thank you for letting me know what answer I shall return to the Commissioners of the Federal City.
Their credit, I know, has been stretched to its utmost limits, in order to keep the wheels moving, even in the slow, and unprofitable manner in which they have turned.
I am Dear Sir
Your obed. Servt.
[signed] G:Washington."
After the Constitutional crisis of 1787 and 1788, the young nation struggled with where to place the seat of government. The answer that came in 1790 was to temporarily house the capital in Philadelphia while building a permanent home along the Potomac River, just a few miles from Mount Vernon. To manage the planning and construction of the new "Federal City," President Washington had appointed three commissioners in 1791. Four years later when the president wrote this letter, lack of financing threatened to end the project.
The "former letter" referenced in this letter was written by Washington on September 14, 1795, in which he informed Morris that after meeting with the three commissioners, he was "so thoroughly impressed with the ruinous consequences wch. must result to the public building from a delay of the payment which the Comrs. have requested, that I should think my official conduct reprehensible if I did not press them upon you most urgently." If that delayed payment did not reach the commissioners, "the Stone cutters, and other workmen now engaged . . . must be discharged; and . . . the most valuable of them will be irrecoverably lost. whilst the buildings will be left, not only in a stagnant state but in a hurtful situation." The situation as Washington saw it was dire. Morris replied four days later that he was "not in possession of money at present, nor can it be obtained in any way," but, he wrote, he was attempting to secure the needed loans - "However repugnant."
Interestingly, until the seat of government was moved to Washington, D.C., President Washington lived in Robert Morris' four-story Philadelphia house. Washington died before the capital was completed, but President Adams and Congress arrived moved to the unfinished city in November 1800. Three years after receiving this letter, Robert Morris (1734-1806) was imprisoned in a debtors' prison in Philadelphia, the sad fate of a man who had signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution, and had been a successful merchant, politician, and had overseen the emerging American economy as the first Superintendent of Finance.
This letter has been published in the Writings of Washington (John C. Fitzpatrick, editor) and the George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress. Darkly toned around the very edges. Minor soiling. Washington's signature is large and clear.
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $14) per lot.
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 04/16/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 04/16/2021
US Coins
Ends on 04/16/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 04/16/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 04/18/2021
Currency
Ends on 04/21/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 04/21/2021
US Coins
Ends on 04/22/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 04/22/2021
US Coins
Ends on 04/22/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 04/25/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 04/27/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 04/29/2021
Currency
Ends on 04/30/2021
Illustration Art
Ends on 04/30/2021
Entertainment
Ends on 05/01/2021
Luxury Accessories
Ends on 05/02/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 05/03/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 05/05/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 05/06/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 05/06/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 05/07/2021
US Coins
Ends on 05/08/2021
US Coins
Ends on 05/15/2021
Currency
Ends on 05/16/2021
Photography
Opens about 04/21/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 04/22/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 04/23/2021
Historical
Opens about 04/26/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 04/18/2021
Manuscripts
Opens about 04/30/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 04/28/2021
Silver
Opens about 04/29/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 04/22/2021
Space
Opens about 05/03/2021
Western & Texas Art
Opens about 04/30/2021
Historical
Opens about 05/03/2021
US Coins
Opens about 04/22/2021
Currency
Opens about 04/23/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 05/04/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 05/05/2021
US Coins
Opens about 04/29/2021
US Coins
Opens about 04/29/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 05/03/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 05/12/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 05/14/2021
Entertainment
Opens about 05/14/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 05/21/2021
Arms & Armor
Opens about 05/18/2021
US Coins
Opens about 05/08/2021
Rare Books
Opens about 05/21/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 05/19/2021
Photography
Opens about 05/19/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 05/20/2021
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
Heritage Auctions and Mr. Chad Reingold were...professional and courteous in all transactions and provided outstanding service in answering my many emails. I recommend them at the highest level.View More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)