WASHINGTON, GEORGE. DOCUMENT SIGNED ("GO: WASHINGTON") AS PRESIDENT OF THE POTOMAC COMPANY, BEING A RECEIPT FOR THOMAS BOYLAN

Manuscript document on a slip of paper (3 1/2 x 6 3/8 in.; 89 x 163 mm), [Alexandria, Virginia], 10 April 1787, being a pay order from "The Potomack Company to Thomas Boytan … attending the bringing of Corn. McCarthy & Hugh Taylor from the Town of Alexandria to the Great falls £0.10.0," signed by Boytan and others, the verso being a receipt for this payment, designated "No. 74. Thomas Boytans auth. Expenses after runaways 10s paid Aprl. 17th. 1787 Pass'd the 18th. Oct. 1787," signed by Washington, John Fitzgerald, and George Gilpin; lightly browned, short marginal tear. Matted, framed, and double-glazed with an engraved portrait of Washington.

Manuscript document on a slip of paper (3 1/2 x 6 3/8 in.; 89 x 163 mm), [Alexandria, Virginia], 10 April 1787, being a pay order from "The Potomack Company to Thomas Boytan ... attending the bringing of Corn. McCarthy & Hugh Taylor from the Town of Alexandria to the Great falls £0.10.0," signed by Boytan and others, the verso being a receipt for this payment, designated "No. 74. Thomas Boytans auth. Expenses after runaways 10s paid Aprl. 17th. 1787 Pass'd the 18th. Oct. 1787," signed by Washington, John Fitzgerald, and George Gilpin; lightly browned, short marginal tear. Matted, framed, and double-glazed with an engraved portrait of Washington.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

In 1785, Washington organized the Potomac River Company in pursuit of a long-held dream to make the river navigable, and to open the Ohio Valley to the eastern seaboard. He was elected its first president in May. Two of his wartime aides, John Fitzgerald and George Gilpin, were named co-directors. The runaways referred to in the present document were likely indentured laborers.