Washington, John A. (1821-1861) to Isaac R. Douglass
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00236 Author/Creator: Washington, John A. (1821-1861) Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 06 July 1844 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 18 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
One letter from John A. Washington to Isaac R. Douglass dated July 6, 1844. Pertains to arrangements to enslave a woman named Julia. Notes that William G. Cazenove told him Douglass would either pay $350 cash, or $400 in two installments, for Julia. Accepts Douglass's offer of $400.
[John] Augustine Washington, the elder son of John Augustine (II) and Jane Charlotte Washington, became the proprietor of Mount Vernon in 1841, when he was 21 years old. In September 1842, he entered a formal agreement with his mother, renting the land and enslaving twenty-two people. Seven years later, Jane Charlotte Washington formally deeded him the land. When she died in 1855, he became the enslaver of people on the land he rented but additionally continued enslaving people on the land his mother had owned (Mount Vernon Slave Census, University of Nevada Reno). Washington sold Mount Vernon to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union. He died fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Recipient is likely Judge Isaac R. Douglass, whose estate was the former Washington family estate "Happy Retreat." Douglass purchased it from them in 1837.
[draft]
Mount Vernon July 6th 1844
Dear Sir
I received a communication from Wm G. Cazenove Esq. stating that you were unwilling to take my negro woman Julia at the price I asked for her, but you were willing to give $350.00 cash or $400.00 in two equal installments of six & twelve months [struck: each] without interest. I saw Mr. Cazenove on the day after you left Alexa & told him that I would accept your offer of $400.00, payable as above stated, & would deliver her to your order in Alexandria. He requested me to say to you that, Mrs. Lannders will probably leave Washington for the upper country about the middle of this month, & that if you wish it he will put Julia in the charge of Mrs. L or if you prefer it send her by the Canal.
Upon the receipt of your order a bonds (which might be sent to Mr. Cazenove) I will deliver Julia with a bill of sale to any one in Alexa whom you may designate.
I shall be pleased to hear from you, upon the subject at your earliest convenience
I am Sir & c -
Hon I. R. Douglass. John A. Washington
Mount Vernon July 6th 1844
Dear Sir
I received a communication from Wm G. Cazenove Esq. stating that you were unwilling to take my negro woman Julia at the price I asked for her, but you were willing to give $350.00 cash or $400.00 in two equal installments of six & twelve months [struck: each] without interest. I saw Mr. Cazenove on the day after you left Alexa & told him that I would accept your offer of $400.00, payable as above stated, & would deliver her to your order in Alexandria. He requested me to say to you that, Mrs. Lannders will probably leave Washington for the upper country about the middle of this month, & that if you wish it he will put Julia in the charge of Mrs. L or if you prefer it send her by the Canal.
Upon the receipt of your order a bonds (which might be sent to Mr. Cazenove) I will deliver Julia with a bill of sale to any one in Alexa whom you may designate.
I shall be pleased to hear from you, upon the subject at your earliest convenience
I am Sir & c -
Hon I. R. Douglass. John A. Washington
I received a communication from Wm G. Casegrove Esq. stating that you were unwilling to take my negro woman Julia at the price I asked for her, but you were willing to give $350.00 cash or $400.00 in two equal installments of six & twelve months...
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