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George Washington Autograph Postscript...
Description
George Washington Writes a Postscript Regarding Military Development and Spending During the Early Construction of the United States of America
George Washington Autograph Postscript On a slip paper cut
from a larger sheet, 15 lines comprising about 100 words, 5 5/8 x 7
3/8 inches; [Mount Vernon]; [October 16, 1797].Washington writes to James McHenry, thanking him for an enclosure received, mentioning his son's accident, and concluding with best respects from Mrs. Washington and Nelly Custis to Mrs. McHenry. The postscript, unsigned, taken from the end of that letter reads:
"P.S. My mind during the last days of my remaining in Philadelphia was so much occupied with public and private concerns that I always forgot, when I was in your company, to enquire whether Mr. Lear had accounted to the War Office for the money he had received to purchase the Site for the Arsenal on Potomac. - As I was, in some measure, the cause of his agency in that business, I wish to know whether it is settled to your satisfaction.
Be so good as to send the letter for Mr. Dandridge to his lodgings if he has not sailed, or left the City."
The letter and postscript were written at an interesting time late in George Washington's life and shows his dedication to his country even after his presidency. He writes to James McHenry, who was serving as Secretary of War under John Adams in 1797, and inquires whether Tobias Lear, Washington's longtime personal secretary, received the necessary funds in order to purchase the arsenal site along the Potomac. National defense development and rebuilding were key in post-Revolutionary War America, but so was accountability of government spending; a principle and virtue that was decidedly American in juxtaposition of the management under King George III. Lastly, Washington concludes the postscript on a personal level, concerning the lodgings of Mr. Danbridge, likely a relative of Martha Washington's. George Washington often fluctuated between official and personal matters, further showcasing his consideration for the individual as well as the country.
Condition: In overall very fine condition. Minor light staining in the top right and top left corners. Mounting strip on left-hand verso. Very lightly creased in quarters with a faint corner crease bottom right.
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid (minimum $49) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 42001-42298) - 11:00 AM Central Time, Friday, June 19, 2026.
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Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions - Dallas
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
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