Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 267
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3
George Washington, As President, Writes His Attorney General
George Washington, As President, Writes His Attorney General
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3
Description:

Washington George

George Washington, As President, Writes His Attorney General

 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, Autograph Docketing on Letter Press Copy of Fragment of Autograph Letter Signed, to Charles Lee, July 31, 1797, Philadelphia, 1 p., 7.25" x 8.875". Thin paper has some tears; “Lee Esq.” in docketing is very heavy and caused some thin holes in paper.

 

In this letter, President Washington inquires on behalf of a “Lady of my acquaintance” about the nephew of Dr. James Tate (d. 1813) of Philadelphia, who was known for his success in treating cancer. She wanted to know if Tate’s nephew, also a physician, had had the same success.

 

Complete Transcript:

 

[Washington to Lee]

ed with the success his uncle’s were.

If it is not too much trouble you would oblige me, & in a more especial manner the lady, by s[olving] the aforegoing questions. Let the information be the entire subject of letter that I may send it with, or without your signature to the person for whose satisfaction it is required.

Several late publications in France, speak a language which it is presumed, was not expected by some of its advocates here; and considering the characters from which it proceeds, & the changes which have taken place in their late actions, auger something more favorable, than was to be expected from the conduct of the Directory of that Country. With very great esteem& regard I am always [?]

Your Affectionate / Hble Servant

Go: Washington

Charles Lee Esqr

 

[Docketing in Washington’s hand:] To / Charles Lee Esqr / 31st July 1797

 

Charles Lee (1758-1815) was born in Virginia and graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) in 1775. He read law in Philadelphia before returning to Virginia. He served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1794 to 1795. In 1795, President George Washington appointed Lee as Attorney General when William Bradford died in office. President John Adams continued Lee in office, and he served until the end of Adams’ administration in 1801. He lived in Alexandria and was a prominent attorney in northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. He declined President Thomas Jefferson’s offer to appoint him to the United States Supreme Court.

 

A letterpress is the author’s own ink and exact writing pressed onto another sheet. Outside of institutions these are very rare. George Washington was a tireless correspondent and detailed record keeper. As he assumed the roles of military leader and first President, his volume of letters, memoranda, and accounts grew. The management of his papers increasingly demanded his concern and time. The "copying press" was a timely invention by James Watt, a Scottish engineer better known for his development of the steam engine.

 

The press was eventually integrated into Washington's management of records. As Commander-in-Chief, Washington assumed the responsibility of preserving and protecting the growing mass of reports and instructions that systematically documented the decisions and activities of the Continental Army. In April 1781, Washington wrote Congress requesting assistance in managing his files. Upon Congress's approval, he brought on board New York lawyer Richard Varick, who was asked to hire a staff of clerks to copy Washington's orders, instructions, and minutes of the councils of war. Varick established quarters at a quiet retreat in Poughkeepsie, New York, and by December 1783 completed his assignment.

 

Scottish engineer James Watt and English engineer Matthew Boulton had formed a partnership headquartered in Birmingham, England to manufacture steam engines. In the course of his work, Watt found the hand copying of business letters, drawings, and design specifications had become increasingly burdensome. In 1780 Watt patented an invention that copied all of his business papers. Washington received his machine just two years later in the latter half of 1782. 

 

Watt discovered a method of applying plain moistened paper with pressure to a freshly written letter so the ink from the original would be offset onto the copy paper. Watt patented two models, a rolling press and a screw press. The rolling press consisted of two superimposed parallel rollers mounted on a frame that was clamped to a table. Springs within the frame helped control the pressure of the rollers when they were turned by a lever. The letter to be copied was placed on a board, covered by a thin piece of dampened copying paper and then by a felt-like cloth. The board was passed through the rollers slowly one way and then rolled back through again. The screw press was based on the same principle but involved screwing two blocks of wood or metal together, rather than using rollers. 

 

Through the years, improvements in unsized copying paper produced sheets that were tissue thin so the reverse image could be seen through the paper and be read in a normal fashion. The copy machine was accompanied by dampening and wetting boxes, vials for measuring spring water, and dampening brushes, all to moisten the copy paper. Watt also developed special inks that produced durable, clear originals. Sponge paper was used to dry the original letter after the copy was made, and oiled papers could be placed on the letter board in order to increase the pressure of the rollers if needed.

 

There is clear evidence of the use of a copying press during Washington's first term as President. An entry in Washington's Philadelphia household accounts for January 4, 1791 notes an order for a dampening brush. By 1792, Washington began using paper manufactured for him in three different weights for journals, ledgers, and press copies. The paper had a watermark with his name placed within concentric circles, crowned by a raven and surrounding Liberty sitting on a plow; an unknown designer created a symbol for Washington.

 

Upon his death, Washington's estate appraisers listed one copying press and one old copying press in his study. It is unclear whether or not one of these was the early copy press sent at the end of the war. However, the records clearly show Washington used a rolling press developed by James Watt helping him manage his papers and preserve his legacy for future generations.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

January 16, 2020 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000