To George Washington from John Hopkins, 1 May 1786
From John Hopkins
Richmond May 1st 1786.
Sir
Enclosd I have the honor to transmit you the Treasurer’s receipt for the sum of fifteen pounds lodged by you with me, for the purpose of making the first payment on your five shares in the James River Company.1 I have spoken to Mr Brown respating the expences of recording your deed &c.—but the business not yet being done, he cannot ascertain the amount—As soon, as the Account can be procured, the Money shall be paid, and his rect transmitted to you.2 With the most perfect respect I am Sir Your most obt & very Humble Servant
Jno. Hopkins
ALS, DLC:GW.
John Hopkins (c.1757–1827) was commissioner of Continental loans for Virginia and a Richmond businessman. James Buchanan was treasurer of the James River Company.
1. GW records in his Cash Accounts in April paying out £15 as “my Adva. for Five Shares in the Jas River Coy” (, 223). GW was in Richmond from 26 to 28 April. See also Edmund Randolph to GW, 2 Mar., and notes 1 and 2.
2. GW went to Richmond to attend to business regarding the sale of George Mercer’s Virginia property in November 1774. See GW to George Augustine Washington, 24 April, n.1. On 27 April, in Richmond, GW “Acknowledged in the General Court a Deed to James Mercer Esqr. for the Lotts he and I bought at the Sale of his deceased Brother Colo. George Mercer and received a reconveyance from him of my part thereof” (, 4:318). Presumably it was to this deed that Hopkins was referring. When writing “respating,” perhaps Hopkins meant to write “respecting.” John Brown was the clerk of the Virginia General Court.