From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 5 September 1793
To the Commissioners for the District of Columbia
Philadelphia Sep: 5th 1793
Gentlemen,
Mr Winstanley, a celebrated Landskip Painter, is disposed to take a view of the Federal City, or of the grounds in the vicinity of it. As you will be there about the time he may arrive, I take the liberty of giving him this letter of introduction to you.1
His designs are more extensive—and I have suggested the Great & little Falls; the passage of the River Potomac through the Blew Mountains—the Natural bridge; &ca as grand objects. I am always Your Most Obedt Sert
Go: Washington
ALS (facsimile), UkNcU.
1. William Winstanley (1775–1806) was an English painter of landscapes and portraits who worked in the United States from the early 1790s until around 1801. On 6 April 1793 GW paid Winstanley “for two painting of Views on the North River,” which are now in the collections at Mount Vernon, and in April 1794 he purchased from Winstanley “2 large paintings” (, 1793–1797, PHi).