President George Washington - Autograph Letter Signed, Authentic, ALS, Signature

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President George Washington - Autograph Letter Signed, Authentic, ALS, Signature:
$49995.00

President George Washington - Autograph Letter Signed
A unique letter from the Father of Our Country discussing one of his last active roles with U.S. Letter Signed (ALS), \"Go. Washington\", one page both sides, 8\'\' x 9.5\'\', May 12, 1799, Mount Vernon. Seven months before his death, Washington writes to John Marshall, Edward Carrington, and William Heath regarding the structure of a national army to be raised for a possible war with France. Accompanied by the three separated sections of the original address leaf, all three affixed to a 7.5’’ x 9.5’’ sheet, addressed in Washington’s hand to “General Marshall and Colonels Carrington & Keith”. In Very Good condition, professionally repaired at the left margin, some partial fold breaks, a sealed tear at the top passing through four lines of text, and uniform toning. Also accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.This letter was quoted by historian and editor of the George Washington papers, W. W. Abbot, in a lecture about the first president. McHenry’s letter mentioned in the opening of this letter, is in the Washington papers, and is endorsed by Washington as having been received on May 6. Washington lived only two years after leaving the presidency. Mount Vernon had been neglected for decades, and he spent most of his remaining days trying to make it solvent and functional.As relations with France worsened in mid-1799, however, the former President was again called to public duty when President Adams named Washington commander of the American Army. But the old general was now showing his age, and his duties were limited to largely symbolic tasks. He insisted on leaving control of the Army to Hamilton, whose primary responsibility was to screen officers to ensure their political reliability. Hamilton was mired in infighting with Adams within the Federalist Party. Adams’ more moderate approach to negotiating with France to avoid war was testing the patience of Hamilton’s more extreme wing of the party. Eventually, Adams disbanded Hamilton’s army, which in turn aided in the downfall of the Federalist party. Marshall, a friend of Washington’s, was nominated to be Secretary of War by President Adams, just a week before this letter was written. However, on May 12, Adams withdrew the nomination, instead naming him Secretary of State. Confirmed by the United States Senate on May 13, Marshall took office on June 6, 1800.

Content in Full

Mount Vernon May 12th 1799GentlemenAlthough the letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, is of old date, it has but just been received from the Secretary of War [James McHenry] for me to carry his view into effect; which, & the confidence I place in you, is the best apology I can make for asking you to assist me, in the business required. I have with the exception of short intervals, been so many years absent from this State; & so little from my own home while in it, that I am as little acquainted with present characters – a few excepted – as almost any man in it; and alone, as incompetent to a judicious selection of Officers to the force contemplated. The object, and principles, being sufficiently developed in the letter, indeed being all the information I have on the subject, renders it unnecessary for me to add any sentiment of my own thereto – further than your aid in making the selection would be beneficial in a public view, and obliging me as an individual. No reason that I can perceive, is opposed to the measure’s being known, as a cautionary preparative for an exigency, which, eventually, may happen; - and woul [sic] should it happen, save much time in the organization, when very little could be afforded under the pressure of the occasion. That you may want no light I can afford, I enclose also, the Inspector General’s division & subdivision of the State in Recruiting, & Rendezvousing districts; in order that, the secretary’s idea respected the distribution (as near as may be) of Officers to the population thereof, may have its due consideration, I forward likewise, a list of the Virginia quota of officers for the 12 Regiments, as arranged at Philadelphia in November last; but it is not in my power to discriminate betwen [sic] those who have, & those who have not accepted their appointments.With great & sincere esteem & regd
I am always
Your Obed. Serv.
Go: Washington[At the bottom of the first page, Washington has noted with regard to the letter’s later receipt from the Secretary of War, “a reason has been assigned for it.”]

Features

Autograph Letter Signed by George Washington
May 12, 1799, Mount Vernon
One page both sides, 8\'\' x 9.5\'\',
In Very Good condition, professionally repaired at the left margin, some partial fold breaks, a sealed tear at the top passing through four lines of text, and uniform toning
Certificate of Authenticity from PSA/DNA
Accompanied by the three separated sections of the original address leaf, all three affixed to a 7.5’’ x 9.5’’ sheet, addressed in Washington’s hand

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