George Washington Papers

To George Washington from George Lewis, 9 April 1796

From George Lewis

Fredericksburg [Va.] 9th April 1796

Dr Sir

Your letter of the 28th of last month, acknowledging the receipt of my two last letters, I receiv’d,1 no information since then has transpired respecting the value of western lands that can be depended upon—It has been asked me by some persons whether you would exchange any of those lands for improved estates (good farms) in this part of the country that might be immediately rented to an advantage, as your terms speak nothing of bartar. I supposed it would not be your wish, should an exchange of this kind be agreable—you can advise me. I shall continue my exertions to purchase Wodrowes land, and have not a doubt could I have gone to Kentucky this month as intended, but I should have secured it2—Mrs Lewis’s indisposition for sometime past, and no prospect of her mending

Map 1: GW’s western lands occupied an important place in his personal wealth and financial management. He enlisted the help of his nephew George Lewis in trying to sell land he owned on Rough Creek in western Kentucky. (Illustrated by Rick Britton. Copyright Rick Britton 2014)

shortly, prevents my goeing this summer, for some dayes past she has been with her Mother in the country, in hopes that a change of air and exercise may be of service.3 I return’d to town this day, where I received your letter, otherwise it should have been acknowledg’d ere this. I left my Mother and family well yesterday4—My love to my Aunt, and accept the sincere respect and esteem of Yr Affectionate Nephew

Go: Lewis

ALS, ViMtvL.

1. GW’s letter to Lewis written on 28 March has not been found. Lewis is referring to his letter to GW dated 19 March. The other letter that Lewis references likely has not been found because the next most recent letter from Lewis to GW is dated 24 Oct. 1795.

2. Lewis had pointed out in his letter to GW written on 18 July 1795 that the value of GW’s Kentucky lands would be enhanced if a 300-acre tract surveyed for Andrew Wodrow could be purchased. For a summary of GW’s unsuccessful efforts to obtain that tract, see Alexander Spotswood to GW, 31 March 1797 (Papers, Retirement Series, description begins W. W. Abbot et al., eds. The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series. 4 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1998–99. description ends 1:58–59).

3. Lewis expressed concern about his wife, Catherine, who visited her mother, Mary Willis Daingerfield (1745–1818). The elder woman resided on a plantation called Coventry in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

4. For the new home of Betty Washington Lewis, see Robert Lewis to GW, 6 April, n.1.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    To George Washington from George Lewis, 9 April 1796
    Author
    Lewis, George
    Recipient
    Washington, George
    Date
    9 April 1796

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To George Washington from George Lewis, 9 April 1796,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-20-02-0022. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 20, 1 April–21 September 1796, ed. David R. Hoth and William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pp. 27–29.]

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