George Washington Papers

[Diary entry: 4 August 1773]

4. At home all day. Captn. Posey here—he came on Sunday last.

Posey’s visit lasted for a week and was for the purpose of extracting more money from GW. His nerve failed, however, and it was not until he was on his way back to Maryland that he wrote GW the purpose of his visit: “You have grant’d me many Favours since I have been Acquaint’d with you. I am now Reduc’d Very Low and advanc’d in years. I have noe Person in the world to Apply to for Assistance and Really am not Able to work. Pray would you be kind Enough to Let me have the Some [of] About £50 Maryland Currancy. I think with that some I could fix myself for Life, and not to want again. . . . I want’d to mention’d this affaire to you when I was at your house but I could not have the Face to Doe” (9 Aug., DLC:GW). GW did not let Posey have the £50 but continued to supply him with small amounts of money from time to time. His ledger records £4 “By Charity to Captn. Posey” on 15 Oct. 1773 and, in April 1774, £12 (General Ledger B description begins General Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. description ends , folio 93, 106).

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