1To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 22 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have waited here two weeks cheifly to try to finish my engagement with you—But all my endeavors are vain—I shall never recede from my exertions till I do accomplish the end, for no event of my life has given me more anguish. I would if you consider yr sale injurious rather relinquish the contract & give up the payments made, than to be the instrument of damage to you—The loss of money I am...
2To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 28 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
I have at length got to this place & will do myself the pleasure to call at Mt Vernon on my return home. In the mean time I shd be happy to hear whether you accede to my proposition when last with you of taking good property for the whole debt due to you. I have houses & lots in the fœderal city: well situated & which to close our business I would part with even at this present dull period,...
3To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 12 May 1799 (Washington Papers)
I found yr letter by Mr Anderson last evening at my lodgings & took the earliest opportunity of conversing with Mr Page on its contents Mr Page says that on his first conversation with Mr Harrison he rated his property at five pounds pr acre, but that on a subsequent meeting he fell to 50/ pr acre, for which price he could have purchased the land. He offered 45/ & proposed renewing the...
4To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 27 August 1797 (Washington Papers)
I have not time to pay my respects as I intended, in as much as I cannot leave town this evening & my long absence from home forbids my loosing another day. My demands on Philadelphia unless the yellow fever interrupts the Philadelphians will be settled in Septr. I then shall have some of Wilsons money, on which fund I counted when I bought yr land. I now enclose a negotiable note for 1000 Ds....
5To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 2 February 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hopkins presented me with yr letter of the 25th ultimo. I learn with much surprize & chagrin that Mr Simmes has failed to pay his note—He used to be considerd as very punctual & therefore I recd his paper for a debt due to me. Nothing but the untoward & unexpected course of fiscal concerns in this country could have produced delay in my payment of yr debt. I am pained in a great degree to...
6From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 18 April 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 28th of Feby came duly to hand. On the subject of which I shall say nothing until I have the pleasure of seeing you in May, as promised. The intention of this letter is to enquire—as you have frequently offered it—whether you have, at this time, any Corn for Sale. I want more than my Nephew of Westmoreland can furnish me with, and will allow for what you can spare the same...
7To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 26 July 1797 (Washington Papers)
In reply to your letr by your servt this evening, I can only say, that my recollection of the lands sold to you, authorizes me to consider every fair attempt to wrest your title to them as the result of error—In Kentucky, I am told, too often are efforts of another sort made to deprive real owners of their property. I know that all the money due on the purchase of the lands you hold thro me...
8From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 25 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
The period for payment of the second Instalment of your Bond is past, & the first Instalment is only partially complied with. Mr Simms’ note, endorsed by you for $1000, is protested at the Bank, where it was deposited for collection. It Cannot be more unpleasant for you to hear, than for me to remind you of these things, but it is necessary for me to do so, & to express a hope that some...
9From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 29 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday’s date from George Town is received. You know perfectly well what my inducements were to part with the property you purchased of me, but rather than have any difficulty, or unpleasant disputes respecting the payments, agreeable to contract, I would take productive property in the Federal City—in Alexandria—or almost anywhere—or any thing productive, or unproductive, at...
10To George Washington from Henry Lee, Jr., 26 August 1798 (Washington Papers)
I had prepared to set out for mt vernon & alexa. last week but I am obliged to stay till after our district court which happens early next month. Then our citizens will fix on an opponent to our present representative—much as many of us approve of our govt, we find it very difficult to obtain the consent of a proper character for Congress. The present crisis imperiously commands our attention...