1To George Washington from Thomas Thomson, 12 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
The distress’d Situation of a Family in who’s welfare & happiness I am much interested, must plead my apology for thus addressing a person to whom I am unknown But the people of America both collectively and as individuals have long been taught to look up to your excellency for Assistance & protection against the worst of all evils, that of Slavery. The circumstance that has induced me to...
2From George Washington to Thomas Thomson, 24 August 1788 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favor of the 12th instant, I can assure you, if it shall be found that Doctr Spence and family are in the unhappy situation you suppose, and I can be instrumental by writing to Mr Jefferson or to any of my friends in France in obtaining their release, I should do it with chearfulness and pleasure—An application to the Court of that Nation from a private character would be...
3From George Washington to Thomas Thomson, 18 September 1788 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed, which I have Just received, is so full on the subject of your enquiry that I shall add nothing thereto —although I am sorry, and feel for the disappointed hopes of your Lady to recover her lost Son, yet I am glad that it is in my power to remove, as soon as possible the painful suspence which the Impositions of Reynalds must have thrown her and the family into. I am &c. LB ,...