To George Washington from John Rutledge, 5 June 1784
From John Rutledge
June 5. 1784
Dr Sir
Give me Leave to introduce, to your Acquaintance, Mr Brailsford, the Gentleman by whom this will be delivered.1
I shall be happy to hear, by him, of the Health of yourself & Family.
Mrs Rutledge joins with me, in respectful Complimts to Mrs Washington. I am with the greatest respect & sincerst Regard dr Sir yr most obedt Servt
J. Rutledge
ALS, DLC:GW.
John Rutledge and GW became acquainted as members of the First and Second Continental Congresses. Rutledge at this time was a recent governor of South Carolina and a leading member of the Charleston bar.
1. Rutledge was probably referring to William Brailsford who belonged to a prominent Charleston mercantile family. Brailsford formed with Thomas Morris a partnership that became one of the most active trading firms in the city in the 1780s. GW may have met Brailsford before, for on 12 Sept. 1782 GW wrote Thomas Bee of South Carolina: “Mr Brailsford did me the honor to present your favor of the 21st. Ulto. and I thank you for introducing so agreeable and well informed a Gentleman to my acquaintance” ( 25:150).