George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Fielding Lewis, Jr., 4 December 1786

To Fielding Lewis, Jr.

M[oun]t Vernon 4th Decr 1786.

Sir,

Your letter of the 11 th of Octor never came to my hands ’till yesterday. Altho’ your disrespectful conduct towards me, in coming into this country & spending weeks therein without ever coming near me, entitles you to very little notice or favor from me; yet I consent that you may get timber from off my Land in Fauquier County to build a house on your Lott in Recter town. Having granted this, now let me ask you what your views were in purchasing a Lott in a place which, I presume, originated with, & will end in two or three Gin Shops, which probably will exist no longer than they serve to ruin the proprietors, & those who make the most frequent applications to them.1 I am &c.

G: Washington

LB, DLC:GW.

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