To George Washington from Henry Lee, 11 December 1788
From Henry Lee
Alexa. Decr 11th 88
Dear Genl
It is probable I may take Magnolio in one or two days & send him to So. Carolina.
Then let me ask the favor of your furnishing me with his pedigree & age certified & your bill of sale.
The lands I pay for him I estimate at 50£.
Since I saw you, I have hear’d that Mr John Page offers for the Westd district.1 This event will render it necessary for me to decline, otherwise the election may take an improper turn. With great respect I am unalterably yours
H. Lee
ALS, DLC:GW.
For background to this letter, see GW to Lee, 30 Nov. 1788, and Lee to GW, 2 Dec. 1788.
1. John Page (1743–1808) of Gloucester County, Va., was lieutenant governor of Virginia at the beginning of the Revolution and served in the house of delegates from 1781 to 1783. He was elected to the First Congress in 1789 and served until 1797. Under the terms of “An act for the election of representatives pursuant to the constitution of government of the United States” passed 20 Nov. 1788, Gloucester and Westmoreland counties lay in the same congressional district (12 653–65).