From George Washington to William Ellzey, 3 October 1769
To William Ellzey
Mount Vernon 3d Octr 1769.
Sir
The repeated and pressing demands of Mrs Savage for Money obliges Mr Fairfax and myself (as Trustees) to put Doctr Savage’s Bond in Suit against Mr Thomson Mason his Security for the Sum due thereupon to her.1 The Inclos’d Memm2 which was given to me by Mr Bryan Fairfax who has the Bond in possession, and much better acquainted with the Condition’s of it than I am (for I never saw it) will Instruct you how to lay the Action which we desire may be commenced as soon as possible in Prince William Court against Mr Mason unless Mr Montgomery will pay at the Genl Court Ensuing one years allowance for the present Support of Mrs Savage (who complains of real distress) in that case we woud stay prosecution agst Mr Mason till the Doctrs arrival for the residue (as we understand he is expected in shortly)3—We therefore beg the favour of you Sir to make application to Mr Montgomerie previous to your Issuing the writ and govern yourself by his answer as we woud willingly have the Suit against Mr Mason commencd before he goes to the Genl Court if Mr Montgomerie does not choose to pay the Hundred pounds above mentioned.4 I am Sir Yr Most Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALB, DLC:GW.
William Ellzey (d. 1796) practiced law in Dumfries, where Dr. William Savage was living when he went to Ireland in 1768.
1. See especially GW to Margaret Savage, 28 June 1768, and notes.
2. The memorandum has not been found.
3. William Savage had not yet returned to Virginia from Ireland where he went with his wife in 1768. Margaret Savage remained in Ireland, but Dr. Savage was back in Virginia in 1771.
4. Thomas Montgomerie was acting as Dr. Savage’s agent in Virginia. See Montgomerie to GW, 5 Oct. 1769. Mrs. Savage also gave him her power of attorney (see Bryan Fairfax to GW, 16 April 1770, n.1). For a general discussion of the ongoing Savage affair, see Henry Lee and Daniel Payne to GW, 24 April 1767, n.1; see also GW to Margaret Savage, 28 June 1768, and notes.