Description:

George Washington Settles Accounts with Former Foe Turned Friend, 1762

1p, measuring 12.75" x 7.625", No place [Mount Vernon], dated Ca. July 1762. Signed with a complete signature within the text at the top margin, "George Washington". A settlement of accounts addressed to Sheriff of Fairfax, William Payne. Laid into a larger sheet measuring 13" x 9.75" overall. Composed entirely in his own hand, Washington settles his taxes with Payne in his capacity of Sheriff of Fairfax County, with approximately 100 words and 45 numbers written in total. The account, calculated in cash as well as tobacco (by the pound), covers county parish and public levies, various taxes, clerk and secretary fees, and credit owed, including "8505 Acres of Land". The account was settled, largely in tobacco, and is signed at the conclusion by Payne, "Wm Payne Sheriff". Washington paid a total of £22.16.1 and 3,537 lbs of tobacco. The document has flattened folds and minor loss at top margin affecting docket on verso. Faint soiling and foxing in places. Silked at the spine on verso.

William Payne (1725-1782) featured prominently in our first president's early life. In 1755, when Washington was in command of the Virginia Rangers, he and Payne got into a heated argument regarding a local election. Payne famously struck Washington with a stick, knocking him to the ground. Washington, 23-years-old and already known for his fiery temper, responded by asking Payne to meet him the next day—presumably to engage in a duel. However, by the next morning tempers had cooled, and Washington sent for Payne to apologize. Impressed by Washington's magnanimity, Payne accepted the apology and the pair became close friends thereafter. Washington and Payne would go on to serve as vestrymen together, and Payne's eldest son later served as a pallbearer at Washington's funeral.

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.

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