To George Washington from George Fisher, 24 June 1786
From George Fisher
Philad[elphi]a 24 June, 1786
Sir,
Agreeably to your orders I waited on Capt. Colfax for the Money which you informed me you had paid to him for me, being Eighty Dollars, but he told me, in direct Opposition to your Excellancy’s words that he had never recd any such money. I also waited on Lt. Howe, and he had nothing for me neither.1
I think, in my humility, it is parculiarly hard that I should be kept out of what is so justly my due, & indeed what your Excellany paid to Men in Affluance to deliver to the poor. However from your Excellancy’s benevolence & Charity I still hope to receive this Sum & leave to your Excellany the mode of recovering it. I continue with Mrs House in my old Station, as Cook, & where I hope I shall have the honor of receiving your Excellency’s further information.2 I have the honor to be your Excellancy’s most Obedient & Obliged Servant
George Fisher
LS, DLC:GW.
George Fisher, who in February 1777 enlisted in the 3d Pennsylvania Regiment, was transferred as a cook on 1 Jan. 1782 to the commander in chief’s guards commanded by Capt. William Colfax. He was furloughed in Newburgh, N.Y., on 6 June 1783 and discharged on 3 Nov. 1783.
1. Bezaleel Howe was a lieutenant of GW’s guards.
2. Fisher was probably referring to Mary House (c.1731-1793), who, at this time, kept a boardinghouse at the corner of Fifth and Market streets in Philadelphia.