WASHINGTON
ON HIS POST-REVOLUTIONARY CONNECTIONS TO ENGLAND:
“I HAVE NOT BEEN AT ALL SOLICITOUS TO RENEW THE OLD,
OR TO FORM NEW CONNECTIONS WITH ANY ONE IN THAT KINGDOM”
GEORGE
WASHINGTON. Autograph
Letter Signed to the Reverend [William] West, Mount Vernon [VA], 28
June 1788. 1½ pages, 9" x 7", plus integral blank leaf.
A gracious
letter from George Washington, offering assistance to a young American
artist. The former Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army writes
during the brief interlude between the Constitutional Convention and
his election to the Presidency and just two days after Virginia had
ratified the Constitution.
The Reverend
William West, a Baltimore clergyman who knew Washington through family
connections in Virginia, had asked him to provide letters of introduction
for his son, George William West, a young artist about to leave for
study in England. In reply, Washington extends his good wishes to the
boy, but explains why he can offer very little of the requested help.
“I
was favoured with your letter of the 17th ult. by your Son. –
In consequence of which, I send the enclosed [not present]
for Mr. Welch, the surviving partner of the House of Cary & Co.
who used to transact the principal part of my business in London; and
who is the only Mercantile character in England with
whom I have had any intercourse for the last fifteen years,”
Washington declares. “Formerly, I corresponded with Messr.
Hanbury & Co., who also sold Tobacco for me; – but if I recollect
rightly, I have heard of his death – and I have not been at all
solicitous to renew the old, or to form new connections with any one
in that Kingdom. – When you spoke to me some time ago on this
subject, I had, besides Mr. Welch, my old neighbour & friend, Colo.
Fairfax in view to have written to – but– he is no more.
–
“If
the introductory letter to Mr. Welch should be, in the smallest degree
serviceable to your Son, I shall feel much pleasure from having afforded
it,” Washington asserts, “because I approve much
of your determination to give him an opportunity of cultivating his
genius, and improving in the fine art to which his talents lead him
– and because he will carry with him my best wishes for perfection
in it, as well as for a safe & pleasant voyage and happy return
to you.” He closes, “With sentiments of great esteem
& regard,” and signs, “G. Washington.”
The young
artist, George William West, did go to London and studied for a time
under Benjamin West. He returned to his home in Baltimore where he died
in 1795 at the age of 25.
The Colonel
Fairfax to whom Washington refers is his old neighbor and friend, George
William Fairfax, who had left Virginia for England in 1773. Even though
Washington encouraged him to return to America after the Revolution,
Fairfax declined, because of his age, and he died in England in April
1787.
A variant
of this letter is printed in The Papers of George Washington: Confederation
Series, volume 6, page 363. However, that text is based on the
copy found in Washington’s letterbook. The original letter, here,
has some additional language not included in the letterbook copy plus
different wording at several points.
The letter
is in fine, fresh condition, darkly penned. The blank integral leaf
is neatly inlaid. $35,000.00
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