Washington, George

Autograph letter signed ("G Washington"), 1 1/2 pages (9 1/8 x 7 1/2 in.; 232 x 190 mm), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 6 March 1793, to the Reverend Mr. [Bryan] Fairfax at Mount Eagle Plantation, Virginia; the right third of the sheet browned, small edge-tears mended with paper. With a later envelope and cardboard chemise recording some later provenance information.

L. Duffield Hawkin (ms. inscription in cardboard chemise and on later envelope)

GW Papers, Presidential 12:271

Washington, trying to balance the dignity of office and personal friendship, assures his friend Fairfax that he does not feel slighted.

Bryan Fairfax (1736–1802), 8th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, boyhood friend of Washington, had written on 17 February, apologizing for misunderstanding a message that Washington had sent, through a servant, that he would be departing from Mount Vernon, which message Fairfax thought might have been an invitation to meet him en route. He did not respond, unsure whether Washington would simply call at his house, given their friendship and his lofty station. Washington responds: " ... and beg you to be assured that nothing was ever farther from my thoughts than taking amiss yr not coming to the road to see me the day I passed your house on my return to this City ... Motives of friendship and respect were all I had in view by sending in to know how you did, as I was about to leave the county ..."

Washington acknowledges Fairfax's condolences on the death of his nephew, Major George Augustine Washington (d. 5 February 1793), who had been acting as overseer at Mount Vernon. He concludes with reference to the widow of Reverend Charles Green, Margaret, who subsequently married Dr. William Savage: " ... permit me to ask if anything is done, or likely to be done in the case of Savage. —I am extremely anxious to see all matters in which I have had any agency brought to a close although the issue thereof should be unfavorable before I quit the stage of life."