From George Washington to Robert Carter, 24 February 1787
To Robert Carter
Mount Vernon 24th Feb: 1787
Sir,
The Gentleman who does me the honor of presenting this letter to you, is the Reverend Mr Griffith, with whom I have had a long acquaintance. As he has some business to transact with you, or proposion to make, I beg leave to introduce him to your civilities, and to yr attention as a Gentleman of worth and of very respectable character.1
My Compliments if you please to Mrs Carter. I am Sir yr most Obedt Hble Se⟨vt⟩
Go: Washington
ALS, PHi: Dreer Collection.
The letter is addressed to “Robt Carter Esqr. Nomeny.” Robert Carter, a grandson of Robert “King” Carter (1663–1732), lived at Nomini Hall in Westmoreland County. He served on the governor’s council from 1758 to 1775 and had extensive landholdings in Virginia.
1. It has not been determined what business the Rev. David Griffith wished to conduct with Carter, but it would appear that he took with him a letter from GW to members of the Dismal Swamp Company regarding Henry Emanuel Lutterloh’s proposal to import into Virginia several hundred German laborers, which GW thought might be used by the company in building the proposed canal in the swamp. See Lutterloh to GW, 3 Jan. 1787, GW to Lutterloh, 8 April 1787, and John Page to GW, 9 Mar. 1787. See also the letter GW wrote to Samuel Powel of Philadelphia on behalf of Griffith on 5 April 1786, in which he refers to Griffith’s business interests in Alexandria.