To George Washington from George William and Sarah Cary Fairfax, 2 July 1785
From George William and Sarah Cary Fairfax
Writhlington near Bath 2d July 1785.
My Dear Sir
Tho’ I did myself the honor of filling more than one sheet of Paper in answer to your Excellencys last favor, very recently, by the hands of Doctor Baynham,1 Yet as my very worthy friend Doctor Ruston came from London to Bath, and from thence hither, on purpose to desire to be introduced to some of our friends in Virginia where He and his family are unknown; I trust you will excuse the liberty I take of assuring you, that he is not only a good American by birth, but also in sentiments, his Lady and Father in law, Mr Fisher, very worthy Gents: highly esteemed by all that know them, in short I believe them to be such a family, as will be an acquisition to any Country, or neighbourhood. And Mrs Fx and self will be much obliged to You and Mrs Washington to mention their worth to your acquaintance, that they may meet with the reception they so well merit.2 We are my Dear Sir and Madame, with every sentiment of Affectionate regard your faithful friends &c. &c.
G. Wm and S. Fairfax
LS, in George William Fairfax’s hand, DLC:GW.
1. Fairfax wrote GW on 23 June in answer to GW’s letter of 27 February.
2. The Fairfaxes wrote an almost identical letter on this date to Mrs. Fairfax’s brother Wilson Miles Cary (DLC: Ruston Papers). Thomas Ruston of Chester County, Pa., studied medicine in the University of Edinburgh and had been practicing in England since receiving his degree in 1765. After his return to Philadelphia in 1785, he speculated in land with Robert Morris and ended up in jail for debt in 1796. GW does not record in his diaries a visit from Dr. Ruston, but he did dine with Ruston in Philadelphia during the Federal Convention in 1787.