From George Washington to Richard Peters, 30 September 1757
To Richard Peters
Mount Vernon, in Virginia Septr 30th 1757.
Dear Sir
Permit me to recommend Colo. Fairfax (the bearer of this) to your Friendly notice while he stays in Philadelphia. He is Son of our late President (who is but just dead) and nearly related to the present Lord Fairfax Proprietor of this Neck. Business calling him to England, he is proceeding hence to New York, hoping to get a Passage in the Packet or some Ship of War; & being a Stranger in your City wanted Introduction: to whom then can I better Introduce him than the agreeable Mr Peters.1 I hope in doing this I make use of no unwelcome liberty—if I do—your genteel treatment of myself made me assume it—and must plead my Excuse. My best respects is tenderd to the Governor and I am with great truth Yr most Obedt and Obligd Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALS, PHi: Dreer Collection.
1. It was on this day following his father’s funeral or shortly thereafter that George William Fairfax left Belvoir for New York and then England where he hoped to persuade his eccentric uncle Henry Fairfax of Toulston, Yorkshire, not to disinherit him. He also wished to secure an appointment to succeed his father as collector of customs for the South Potomac. Fairfax arrived in New York on 12 Oct. after finding his letters of introduction “very servicable at Philadelphia” (Fairfax to GW, 17 Oct. 1757). He probably traveled to New York with his young half-brother William Henry Fairfax (see James Cuninghame to GW, 16 Oct. 1757).