Washington, George

1 page (8 5/8 x 7 1/2 in.; 219 x 192 mm), Richmond [Virginia], 13 April 1791 to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, with several autograph emendations and revisions; severely browned, laid down on a larger sheet, some short fold separations.

The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, ed. Twohig, 8:91–92 (text from the recipient's copy, Jefferson Papers, with numerous variations in word choice, paragraphing, and incidentals)

1 page (8 5/8 x 7 1/2 in.; 219 x 192 mm), Richmond [Virginia], 13 April 1791 to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, with several autograph emendations and revisions; severely browned, laid down on a larger sheet, some short fold separations.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

President Washington here circumspectly responds to Jefferson's letter of 2 April, which reported on complications resulting from negotiations with Spain over the free navigation of the Mississippi River, as well as Spain's policy of allowing debtors, criminals and runaway slaves to take sanctuary in Florida. Jefferson's lengthy letter summarizes correspondence from William Carmichael, U. S. ambassador to Spain; David Humphreys, U.S. minister to Portugal; Gouverneur Morris, a confidential envoy to Spain; and Juan Nepomuceno de Quesada, the governor of Florida. He also reports the British interception and misuse of one of Washington's own letters to Morris (Papers 8:41–44). 

"Your letter of the 2d came to my hands at this place.—part of it did as you supposed, & might well suppose, astonish me exceedingly.—I think it not only right that Mr Carmichael should be furnished with a copy of the genuine letters to Mr G. Morris, but that Mr. Morris should also know the result of his conferences with the Duke of Leeds at the Court of Madrid. The contents of my public letters to him you are acquainted with—my private ones were few, and nothing in either of them relative to England or Spain; how it comes to pass therefore that such interpretations as the extracts recite, should be given, he best can account for.

"Being hurried, I shall only add that I shall proceed on my journey to morrow, and from good information have a dreary one before in some parts of it." In a postscript Washington notes, "The footing upon which you have placed Mr Carmichaels application is good."