George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 9 March 1788

To Burwell Bassett, Jr.

Mount Vernon March 9th 1788

Dear Sir,

If my last letter to you, containing the Bond of the deceased Mr Dandridge on which you were requested to bring suit, was not sufficiently explanatory of the intention,1 I now beg leave to inform you that my meaning is after Judgement shall have been obtained and execution levied on the Slaves belonging to the estate of the decd Gentn that you, or Mr John Dandridge, in behalf of his Mother, wd purchase for her use such as she may want, on my acct. In a word, as it is at the request of Mr John Dandridge that suits are instituted, my wish is to accomodate the family as far as I can consistently. the mode of doing it I leave to you.2 being with very great esteem and regard Dr Sir, Yr Obedt & Affect. Sert

Go. Washington

LB, DLC:GW.

1. See GW to Bassett, 3 February.

2. John Dandridge wrote Martha Washington on 29 Feb.: “The Genl’s Letter inclosing the Bonds I have not delivered to B Bassett yet: He has not been in New Kent since his marriage, but is expected now daily—. I suppose the Genl has informed him that when judgment is obtained & an execution levied on the negroes of my Fathers Estate, he or myself may purchase on the Genl’s acct—” (Fields, Papers of Martha Washington, description begins Joseph E. Fields, ed. “Worthy Partner”: The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn., and London, 1994. description ends 207–8). See also Ledger B description begins General Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. description ends , 280.

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    Source Project
    Washington Papers
    Title
    From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 9 March 1788
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Bassett, Burwell Jr.
    Date
    9 March 1788

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, Jr., 9 March 1788,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/04-06-02-0129. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Confederation Series, vol. 6, 1 January 1788 – 23 September 1788, ed. W. W. Abbot. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1997, p. 149.]

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