To George Washington from William Osborne, 29 August 1793
From William Osborne
Phila. August 29th 1793
Honoured Sir
It is with the Greatest Respect that I take this mode of informing You, that my present expences being render’d greater than heretofore by haveing a Wife added to them, Induces me to turn my attention to Some more Eligible way of Obtaining a living than Servitude, as it is impossible to Support her by my Sallery arising from my present Sittuation.1
I Have therefore Sir, with the advice, and, an Offer of Some assisstance from a friend of mine, Some thoughts of Opening a Tavern in philaa, there is a House prepareing for me which will be ready to enter about the first of October, If I may be permitted to Hope sir, for Your protection and Assistance, by a loan of a Sum not Exceeding 200 Dollars, which I shall refund with Gratitude, and I hope punctuality, in the Course of one Year after my Commencement of Bussiness, Relying Solely on Your known disposition to do good, is the Only Reason I have to expect this indulgence.2
I do not mean Sir, to Quit your Service Untill the first of October, or Such time as You are Suited with a proper Servant.3 I am Sir with the Highest Respect, and ever shall be, Your Very Humble Servt
Wm Osborne
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Osborne earned $140 per annum as GW’s valet de chambre. ( , 183; , 23 Mar. 1793).
2. According to GW’s for 9 Sept. 1793, GW lent Osborne $100 “to be repaid in one year.”
3. When GW departed Philadelphia on 10 Sept., Osborne remained behind, only to die in the yellow fever epidemic then prevalent throughout the city ( , 239; , 150).