From George Washington to John Fitzgerald, 3 February 1798
To John Fitzgerald
Mount Vernon 3d Feby 1798
Dear Sir,
Thursday next is the day on which the Stock holders in the Potomack Navigation, are summoned to meet, in George Town. I have been pressed to attend; and mean to attend, if the weather will permit, and no unforseen event happens to prevent it—and if you are not otherwise engaged will take a family dinner with you, on my way up, the preceeding day (Wednesday).
I wish, & hope that the meeting may be full, for the state of that business does, in my opinion, require serious attention; It would be very agreeable to me, therefore, to have some conversation with you & Colo. Gilpin previous to the meeting. Among other things to suggest a fit character to supply the place of Mr Lear, who is determined to withdraw from the place he at present fills.1 I am Your Affecte Servant
Go: Washington
ALS, NNC. Written on the cover: “Mr Dandridge left this letter at the office this morning—He did not say that an answer was required.”
1. In his diary entry for Wednesday, 7 Feb., GW wrote: “Went to a meetg. of the Potomak Co. in George Town. Dined at Col. Fitzgeralds [in Alexandria] & lodged at Mr. T[homas] Peters” in Georgetown, and on the next day he “met the Compy. at the Union Tavern & dined there” (, 6:280, 281). GW recorded on 8 Feb. his “Expences in going to a meeting of the Potomak Compy in Geo. Town viz.—Tavern—Dinner & Horses £1.4.10 Ferriage and Servants—.15” (Day Book). Lear continued as president of the Potowmack Company until 1799. See also Tobias Lear to GW, 12 Jan., n.2.