Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04043 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 January 1787 Pagination: 2 p. 22.6 x 18.1 cm

Summary of Content: Washington seeks to sell 1650 acres of land in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He is willing to sell for less than the going rate if the purchaser takes the entire tract, and outlines the payment plan he would expect.

Background Information: Notes: Published in Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington, 29: 140-141. Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Full Transcript: Mount Vernon 9 Jany 1787
Sir,
Your letter of the 26th. Ult. did not reach me till within these 3 days, or it should have received an earlier acknowledgment.
The land I advertised ...for Sale in Fayette County containing 1650 acres or thereabouts, by the Patents, may, as a tract, be considered as equal to any in that County, or Country; but as it is my wish that the purchaser should examine it, I will say no more than that there is an appearance of a rich Iron Ore at the door of the Mill, which is now much out of repair.
Small tracts of land in the vicinity of this, of the same quality have sold for three pounds & upwards Penns[ylvania]. Curr[enc]y an Acre. But if one person will take the whole of mine, I would let it go for Forty shillings that money an Acre (payable in Specie) one fourth down, the other three fourths in annual payments, with interest [2] from the date of the Bonds; perhaps a longer time might be allowed.

I am Sir
Your very Hble Serv
Go: Washington

Mr D. Carroll.
See More

People: Washington, George, 1732-1799
Carroll, Daniel, 1730-1796

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Subjects: PresidentFinanceLand Transaction

Sub Era: Creating a New Government

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