To George Washington from John Francis Mercer, 5 April 1794
From John Francis Mercer
Philadelphia, April. 5th 94.
Sir
I have been delayd unexpectedly in the receit of Money which I had a right to expect here, & am now called home by an express giving me very disagreable news from my family1 I therefore enclose you the order on Mr Jones for one half the Rents of 92 & 93 & consider myself engaged that they shall produce you 56£ V⟨iga⟩ Cur., & Interest or be liable therefor.2 I am respectfully Yr Ob. hle Ser.
John F. Mercer
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Mercer, who resided in Anne Arundel County, Md., was in Philadelphia to attend the current session of Congress. The family crisis has not been identified, but it evidently prompted his resignation from Congress on 13 April 1794.
2. The enclosed copy of a letter from Mercer to Benjamin W. Jones was written at Philadelphia on this date. It reads: “The President of the United States having agreed with me for the purchase of a moiety of the tract of Land in Montgomery County called Woodstock Manor, in the year 1792, became thereby entitled to receive the rents accruing that year. You’ll therefore account with him for one half of the rents of 1792 & 1793, and I suppose he will give such orders respecting the future disposition of his Land as will render any farther attention, to the part purchased by him, unnecessary on the part of Mr Sprigg or those claiming under him” (DLC:GW). The docket reads, “Please to pay the contents of the within order to Colo. Willm Deakins. signed. G. Washington.” GW enclosed this letter in one to William Deakins, Jr., of 11 April.