From George Washington to James Mercer, 1 November 1792
To James Mercer
Philadelphia Novr 1st 1792.
Dear Sir,
I pray you to accept my thanks for your obliging attention to my request respecting the conveyance of Lots which I purchased at the sale of Colo. Mercers Estate; and for sending the Deeds from Mr Muse to me. I see no occasion of a Copy of the reconveyance of the above lots from you to me, as I am persuaded they were drawn with correctness; and because it appears by the Clerks certificate on the back of the Deed to you, that it was duly recorded.1
Permit me before I close this letter, to express my regret that want of health, or any other cause should have prevented you from making me the visit you proposed whilst I was at Mount Vernon; and to assure you that it will ever give me sincere pleasure to see you at that place. And I will also unite my regret to yours for the death of our old friend, & acquaintance Colo. Mason.2 With Affectionate regard I am always—Yours
Go: Washington
ALS, DLC:GW; ADfS, NjMoHP: Smith Collection; LB, DLC:GW. The cover of the ALS is stamped “2 NO” and “FREE” and is addressed to “The Honble James Mercer Esqr Fredericksbg or Richmond.”
1. In his letter to Mercer of 3 Oct., GW requested copies of the deeds for the land in Frederick County, Va., that he had purchased in 1774 from the estate of Mercer’s eldest brother, George Mercer. Battaile Muse, GW’s former land, or rental, agent may have been the conveyor of the missing deeds.
2. For Mercer’s ill health and plans to visit Mount Vernon, see James Mercer to GW, 6 Oct., at Mercer to GW, 3 Oct., n.2. Virginia statesman George Mason died on 7 Oct. 1792.