1Deed to James Mercer, 13 October 1769 (Washington Papers)
[ 13 Oct. 1769 ]. “This Indenture made the Thirteenth Day of October in the year 1769 Between George Washington of the County of Fairfax Esqr. and Martha his wife of the one part and James Mercer of The Town of Fredericksburg in the County of Spotsylvania attorney at Law of the other part Witnesseth That the said George Washington and Martha his wife for and in Consideration of the sum of...
2To George Washington from James Mercer, 6 September 1771 (Washington Papers)
The attachment of which you inclosed one Copy, is for not answering—it has issued not through any default of any of your officers, but for want of an answer for three months after appearance, this I understand Mr Pendleton entered for you last June Rules, not thinking it material to wait for your being summoned, it being unnecessary as you was advised of the renewal of the Suit—the consequence...
3Document I, 1–4 November 1771 (Washington Papers)
To His Excellency the Right Honble John Earl of Dunmore his Majestys Lieutt & Governor General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia and vice Admiral of the same and to the Honble the Council—The Memorial of George Washington, Colo. of the first Virginia Regiment in behalf of himself and others Most humbly Sheweth That it being judg’d proper to raise Troops, and erect a Fort at the Confluence...
4From George Washington to James Mercer, 19 July 1773 (Washington Papers)
As I neglected to have the Mortgage which you gave me on the day of March twelvemonths (of Sundry Negroes therein mentioned) Recorded in time by which the efficacy so far as others are concernd is lost to me, I should be obliged to you for renewing of it, or giving me such other security for the Sum then due as shall be adequate to the purpose. The Duty which urges me to make this request will...
5From George Washington to James Mercer, 9 August 1773 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Mercer, 9 Aug. 1773. On 11 Aug. Mercer wrote : “Your favour of the 9th Instant was received late last night.”
6To George Washington from James Mercer, 11 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 9th Instant was received late last Night, I am concerned you shou’d give yourself the trouble of explaining your motives for applying to me about the Mortgage I gave you—if my answer imputed to you the most distant suspicion of ungenerous Sentiments, believe me my good Sir, my Pen & Heart differed much[.] It is true I put the supposition you mention but I deemed it next to...
7To George Washington from James Mercer, 23 August 1773 (Washington Papers)
As I expect a good Opportunity by your Neighbour Colo. Mason from the meeting of the Ohio Compy I shall inclose you the Mortgage I made you agreeably to your last favour, which was on the day of the date delivered to Mr Sims in trust for you—this gives it an opperation from that day, I shou’d have kept it to be recorded in Stafford Court—but for a blank in it which I can’t take on my self to...
8From George Washington to James Mercer, December 1773 (Washington Papers)
When I sat seriously down, divested of other thoughts, to write to Mr Montague on the Subject of the power of attorney which he Inclosed to Colo. Tayloe, Colo. Mason, & myself, it appeared, if not absolutely necessary, at least, that it would be very satisfactory to him, and the Mortgagees, (as matters are very differently circumstanced to what they expected) to receive authentick Copi⟨es⟩ of...
9To George Washington from James Mercer, 1 January 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 1 Jan. 1774. On 8 Jan. GW wrote Mercer : “Your Letter of the 1st Instt, came to my hands yesterday.”
10From George Washington to James Mercer, 8 January 1774 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 1st Instt, came to my hands yesterday, only —I am very glad to find that you settled the business with Lord Fairfax so much to your satisfaction; I cannot in this Letter, fix upon a time to attend the division of the Bullrun Land being in hourly expectation of seeing Captn Crawford, with whom I have some business to transact, and a time ⟨ mutilated ⟩ upon my Ohio Lands,...
11From George Washington to James Mercer, 28 March 1774 (Washington Papers)
A Man in Trust is laid under greater difficulties than one acting on his own Acct; In the latter case he hath nothing more to do than to please himself; in the former, he may please himself and displease his Constituents. So soon therefore as I became sure (and this was upon running the last course down little River) that Mr Powells Mill would be Included within your Survey I felt a good deal...
12To George Washington from James Mercer, 5 April 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 5 April. On 11 April GW wrote Mercer : “I have receivd your Letter of the 5th.”
13From George Washington to James Mercer, 11 April 1774 (Washington Papers)
I have receivd your Letter of the 5th, and consider’d the Report which you have drawn up for the Commissioners to make to the Generl Court; and not knowing (as things are Situated) what better can be done, I have given them ⟨ta⟩cit consent to their proceeding; agreeably thereto, as you required, in case of my approbation thereof. My fear however is, that, a Partition of the Land, consequent of...
14From George Washington to James Mercer, 12 December 1774 (Washington Papers)
Your letter without a date came to hand last post; & inclosed you have my Bond to Messrs McCoul & Blair for £450 for your Brothers moiety of the four mile run Land; as also receipts for £40.11.11 the balance due from him on account of the ohio Lands, under the Proclamation of 1754. Fifty four pounds (being the amount of £40 Sterling at 35 ⅌Ct exchange) which he assumed the payment of for Van...
15To George Washington from James Mercer, 13 December 1774 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 13 Dec. 1774. On 26 Dec. GW wrote Mercer and referred to “your Letter of the 13th Inst.”
16From George Washington to James Mercer, 26 December 1774 (Washington Papers)
I do not recollect whether, in my last, I informed you that it was £29 you gave for the Negro Kate, & that the whole of your purchases in Frederick amounted to £2385.14.2; If I did not then do it, these will be found right, & agreeable to the original Entries —I have heard nothing yet from Colo. Peyton, respecting those Lands which you appear charged with at the Loudoun Sale—there is no doubt,...
17To George Washington from James Mercer, 11 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 11 Feb. 1777. GW wrote Mercer on 21 Feb. that “your Letter of the 11th . . . came to my hands a few days ago,” and a note that Mercer made on GW’s letter reads in part: “I refer to my Let. to G.W. of the 11th Feby to which this is an answer.”
18From George Washington to James Mercer, 21 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 11th Ulto with the Bond Inclosed, came to my hands a few days ago by Mr Jno. Walker —I thank you for your kind congratulations on the late success of our Arms, but must beg leave to assure you, that my time is not, as you seem to apprehend a whit less engaged by it. Nevertheless, as I feel an Inclination to satisfy you both with respect to your enquiries, and in other...
19To George Washington from James Mercer, 24 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Mercer, 24 Sept. 1779. On 14 Oct., GW wrote Mercer: “I received your favor of the 24th of September.”
20From George Washington to James Mercer, 14 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 24th of September several days ago, and should have acknowledged it long before, if I had not been prevented by a variety of pressing & interesting business, which required my constant & closest attention. The facts stated in the draught of the report, which you were so obliging as to inclose, I am perswaded are right, as they corrispond with My own recollection so...
21To George Washington from James Mercer, 6 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 6 Jan. 1780. On 25 Feb. , GW wrote to Mercer: “Your letter of the 6th Ulto did not come to my hands till the same date in the present month.” For GW’s quotation of a portion of the letter, see GW to Charles Pettit, 11–12 February .
22From George Washington to James Mercer, 25 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th Ulto did not come to my hands till the same date in the present month —It was accompanied by a letter from Mr Lund Washington of the 26th of Jany covering Bills on the Commissioners in France for thirteen hundred & ninety two Dollars. Immediately upon receipt of these, I endorsed & sent them to Charles Pettit Esqr. Assistt Qr Mr General in Phila. to be disposed of in the...
23To George Washington from James Mercer, 18 August 1784 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 18 Aug. 1784. On 25 Aug. GW wrote to Mercer : “My Sister handed me your favor of the 18th.”
24From George Washington to James Mercer, 25 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
My Sister handed me your favor of the 18th. 1 thank you for the advice respecting the mode of conveying a title for the Lands I purchased at your Brother’s Sale, & will pursue it; but necessity will oblige me to postpone the matter until I return from my Western jaunt; as, from Company & other circumstances, no leizure is left me to rummage for Papers before. My letter to your Brother John...
25To George Washington from James Mercer, 10 January 1786 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 10 Jan. 1786. On 20 Jan. GW wrote to Mercer : “I have been favored with your letter of the 10th inst.”
26From George Washington to James Mercer, 20 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 10th inst: with its inclosures the last are returned signed. I also send you a copy of the courses of the Lotts purchased by yourself & me at the sale of your brother’s Land, & shall thank you for the conveyances which are necessary to secure the legal right to those which I hold. I am sorry to hear that you still continue indisposed—you have my best...
27From George Washington to James Mercer, 19 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
I was informed by your Brother, Colo. Jno. Mercer, who with his family were here on their way to Annapolis; that by some discovery which had been lately made, it appears that Messrs Niell McCooll & Blair, had not a legal right to dispose of the moiety of the four mile run tract, which belonged to Colo. George Mercer. This defect, I presume, can easily be remedied, as you are his Executor and...
28James Mercer to GW, 10 March 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: James Mercer to GW, 10 Mar. 1787. On 15 Mar. GW wrote Mercer : “Your favor of the 10th came duely to hand.”
29To George Washington from James Mercer, 10 March 1787 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 10 Mar. 1787. On 15 Mar. GW wrote Mercer : “Your favor of the 10th came duely to hand.”
30From George Washington to James Mercer, 15 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 10th came duely to hand, and with very sincere concern I read the acct of your ill health; but if your other complaints have left you, the Asthma, though troublesome & distressing, is not a dangerous one; I will hope therefore that the agreeable Season which is fast approaching, will perfectly restore you good health. Under cover with this, you will receive the original Deed...
31From George Washington to James Mercer, 18 March 1789 (Washington Papers)
In receiving you cannot feel more pain than I do by communicating the following information; but as necessity, it is said, has no law, we both must submit to it. It is now several years since I have been looking for payment of the debt which is due to me from the estate of your deceseased father John Mercer Esquire —I have been promised it is true considerable sums from time to time by Colonel...
32To George Washington from James Mercer, 25 March 1789 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 25 Mar. 1789. On 4 April GW wrote to Mercer : “I have received your letter of the 25th Ulto.”
33From George Washington to James Mercer, 4 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 25th Ulto and likewise one from your Brother Colo. J.F. Mercer of the 29th As nothing can be more disagreeable to me than to put the securities which I have against the Estate of your deceased father John Mercer Esqr. in suit, I have provided he shall fulfill the terms of payment, which he has proposed himself—Namely £200 by the 20th of May—half the remainder...
34To George Washington from James Mercer, 15 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I hope the necessity of the Case, will be a sufficient appollogy for my intruding myself on your Excellency, who must be too much engaged in the business belonging to yr important & very high office, to attend to business of a private Nature—I have however purposely delayed this application untill the recess of Congress, hoping that your Excellency may by that event, have the leisure to favour...
35From George Washington to James Mercer, 17 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
During my absence on a tour through the Eastern States, your letter of the 15th Ulto, enclosing an Order of the District Court which had been in Session at Fredericksburgh, came to this City. This is the reason why you have not recd an earlier acknowledgment of them; for I did not return until the 13th instt—too late for the Posts of last week. A bad memory, and no memorandums or Papers to...
36To George Washington from James Mercer, 4 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Honble Mr Dawson one of the Council of this State, expressing a desire of obtaining the office of a Commissioner, under the expressed Act of Congress for settling the Accounts of the United States with the individual States: and supposing himself not so well known to your Excellency as to possess that Confidence he merits, has applyed to me a long & very intimate acquaintance to supply...
37From George Washington to James Mercer, 21 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
When I was in Fredericksburg on my way to the southward I received a letter from Mr Neil McCoull of which, and the letter of his lawyer, referred to, the enclosed are copies. The verbal answer returned to Mr McCoull by his son, was that I had conceived so far as I was concerned in the business, that the matter had been settled long ago—But as it appeared otherwise from the application he had...
38To George Washington from James Mercer, 20 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Necessity of the Case will I hope be a sufficient appollogy for my addressing your Excellency on the following Subject. You Sir may recollect that Ld Dunmore in Novr 1774 purchased of you & Colo. Tayloe Trustees for the Creditors of George Mercer, under a decretal order of the General Court, certain Slaves to the value of 436£ Va. Currency on twelve months Credit—for which (circumstanced...
39From George Washington to James Mercer, 29 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
I take the earliest opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, to shew you that I have not been inattentive to the contents of it. But I must delay giving a definitive answer to your request for using my name in the Suit which you propose to institute, until the return of your Brother, Colo. John Mercer, to this City, shall enable me to learn from him whether...
40From George Washington to James Mercer, 3 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
It has long been in my mind to ask you, though I have never yet done it, if you could give me any information of a conveyance of the Lotts I purchased at Colo. Mercer’s sale of Land in Frederick County in the year 1774. I can find no Deeds for these Lotts amongst my land papers; but by recurring to Letters which have passed between you & me (in a settlement of Accts with your Brother Colo....
41From George Washington to James Mercer, 1 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
I pray you to accept my thanks for your obliging attention to my request respecting the conveyance of Lots which I purchased at the sale of Colo. Mercers Estate; and for sending the Deeds from Mr Muse to me. I see no occasion of a Copy of the reconveyance of the above lots from you to me, as I am persuaded they were drawn with correctness; and because it appears by the Clerks certificate on...