From George Washington to John Fitzgerald, 9 September 1786
To John Fitzgerald
Mount Vernon Septr 9th 1786.
Dear Sir,
Have you heard from Annapolis since Monday? Have the Commercial Commissioners met? Have they proceeded to business? How long is it supposed their Session will last? and is it likely they will do anything effectual?1
Is Colo. Gilpin returned? Was there a meeting of the Board? What was the result of the enquiry into the charges exhibited against Stuart?2
I hope Mrs Fitzgerald & yourself are quite recovered. I am tolerably well again, but obliged to make use of Scissars instead of a Razor, for part of my face, when shaving. I am Dr Sir Yr obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALS, PWacD: Sol Feinstone Collection, on deposit PPAmP.
1. Delegates from five states met in Annapolis 11–14 September. See David Stuart to GW, 18 Dec. 1785, n.3.
2. The meeting of the trustees of the Potowmack Company was not held. See GW to George Gilpin and John Fitzgerald, 1 Sept., n.1, and James Rumsey to GW, 5 September. At their meeting of 2–4 Oct., the trustees of the Potowmack Company examined the charges of James Rumsey against Richardson Stewart (Stuart), the former assistant manager of the Potowmack Company who had succeeded Rumsey in July as manager, and found them “malignant, envious, & trifling” (, 5:48).