George Washington Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Washington, George"
sorted by: date (ascending)
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-01-02-0007

From George Washington to Robin, 1749–1750

To Robin

[1749–1750]

Dear Friend Robin

As its the greatest mark of friendship and esteem absent Friends can shew each other in Writing and often communicating their thoughts to his fellow companions mak⟨es⟩ me endeavour to signalize myself in acquainting you from time to time and at all times my situation and employments of Life and could Wish you would take half the Pains of contriving me a Letter by any oppertunity as you may be well assured of its meeting with a very welcome reception my Place of Residence is at present at his Lordships where I might was my heart disengag’d pass my time very pleasantly as theres a very agreeable Young Lady Lives in the same house (Colo. George Fairfax’s Wife’s sister)1 but as thats only adding Fuel to fire it makes me the more uneasy for by often and unavoidably being in Company with her revives my former Passion for your Low Land Beauty2 whereas was I to live more retired from yound3 Women I might in some measure eliviate my sorrows by burying that chast and troublesome Passion in the grave of oblivion or etarnall forgetfulness for as I am very well assured that’s the only antidote or remedy that I ever shall be releivd by or only recess than can administer any cure or help to me as I am well convinced was I ever to attempt any thing I should only get a denial which would be only adding grief to uneasiness.

ADf, DLC:GW. For background to this letter, see the editorial note to GW to Ann Washington, Sept.–Nov. 1749, and GW to Thomas Fairfax, Oct.–Nov. 1749, source note.

Robin may be GW’s cousin Robert Washington (b. 1729), son of Townshend Washington (1705–c.1744) of Chotank area in Stafford County. In his will GW remembered Robert and Lawrence Washington of Chotank “the acquaintances and friends of my Juvenile years” (Prussing, Estate of Washington description begins Eugene E. Prussing. The Estate of George Washington, Deceased. Boston, 1927. description ends , 58).

1Of Sarah Cary Fairfax’s three sisters this is probably Mary Cary (1733–1781), who married Edward Ambler in 1754. Although Lord Fairfax began establishing a home in Frederick County in the fall of 1749, this and the next three letters were probably written from Belvoir.

2Despite many years of speculation by biographers and others upon this reference to a “Low Land Beauty,” no evidence of her identity has been found.

3GW may have meant to write yond or young.

Index Entries