To George Washington from Henry Lee, 2 December 1788
From Henry Lee
Alexa. Decr 2d 1788.
dear General.
The day after you left Alexa., I wrote to Mr Richard Lee in Richmond, requesting him to examine Docr Skinners papers for the pattents & to forward them to me.1
I have not received his reply. Mr Fendal is not yet decided whether he will go to Barbadoes or to Norfolk—Mrs Fendals situation is more & more precarious & perhaps Mr Fendal will judge it adviseable to proceed directly to the islands.2
I therefore hope in consequence of the delay which arises from Mr F.[’s] indecision to be able to spend one day at Mt Vernon, when we can conclude our bargain. Should I be disappointed in this expectation I will write to you definitively before I leave Alexa. I am unaltreably & most respectfully your ob. sr.
H: Lee
ALS, DLC:GW.
For GW’s arrangement with Henry Lee for the exchange of his horse Magnolio for Kentucky lands owned by Lee, see GW to Lee, 30 Nov. 1788, n.1.
1. Richard Bland Lee (1761–1827) was Henry Lee’s younger brother. At this time he was in Richmond attending meetings of the Virginia general assembly and actively opposing antifederalist attempts to call a second convention to amend the Constitution. In 1789 he was elected to the First Congress.