To George Washington from Robert McLean, 7 June 1796
From Robert McLean
Union Town [Pa.] 7th June 179[6]1
Dear Sir
I have lately been down the Ohio River and among others have taken a View of a tract of your Land Situate on the East Side of the Ohio River above Bakers Station and below Grave Creek Generally known by the Round Bottom2—I have a desire to become a purchaser—And would beg the favour of you, Sir to inform me as soon as convenient “by Letter directed to the Care of Alexander MClean of Union Town Esquire”3 the lowest terms you will accept of—I am interested in the information, as I wish to turn my Eye to another object if I cannot acceede to your terms.4 I am Sir with due Regard your Excellencies most Obt Humble Servant
Robert MClean
P.S. I live on Monongahela River about 3 Miles below the Mouth of Georges Creek.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. McLean wrote “1795,” but GW docketed the letter as “7th June 1796,” which seems the more likely date.
2. Baker’s Station, also known as Cresap’s Fort, was a blockhouse erected in the 1780s at the head of Cresap’s Bottom in what is now Marshall County, West Virginia. It is about three miles down the Ohio River from current McKeefrey.
Grave Creek enters the Ohio River from the West Virginia side just below Moundsville.
3. Alexander McClean (1746–1834), a surveyor, completed the boundary between Virginia and Pennsylvania in 1782–83. Before the formation of Fayette County, McClean represented Westmoreland County in the Pennsylvania legislature and was appointed county lieutenant in 1782. From late 1783 until his death, he was register and recorder for Fayette County.
4. No reply to Robert McLean’s letter has been found. For others interested in purchasing the Round Bottom tract, see Jeremiah Claypole to GW, 3 June, and Thomas G. Johnston to GW, 1 September.