Washington, George (1732-1799) to James Mercer
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04860 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 March 1789 Pagination: 2 p. ; 23.3 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy
Written one month before taking his oath of office as the first United States President, Washington attempts to collect a debt owed by the estate of James' father John Mercer. States that he was formerly promised repayment by James' brother, Colonel John Francis Mercer, but John did not deliver the sum in full. Informs James "I am thus explicit, for the purpose of evincing to you, that necessity alone prompts me to make this plain and unequivocal declaration" regarding reimbursement. Reveals willingness to receive land titles as repayment. Expresses his wish to secure titles for two lots of land in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Mount Vernon Mar 18th. 1789
Dear Sir,
In receiving, you cannot feel more pain than I do by communicating, the following information; but as necessity-(it is said)- has no law, we must both submit to it.-
It is now several years since I have been looking for payment of the debt which is due to me from the Estate of your deceased father, John Mercer, Esqr.- I have been promised, it is true, considerable sums from time to time by Colo John Mercer; but it is equally true I have either not received the money - or received it in a manner so disproportionate to his promises as to avail me little; and for the last twelve months I have not obtained one shilling, nor indeed have [inserted: I] heard one little from him [inserted: on the subject] although, at his own request, I agreed to receive money in small driblets merely to accommodate him. - A mode by no means answering the most valuable purposes for which it was intended. -
This being a true statement of the case, and my necessities becoming more & more pressing (which I have repeatedly in a full, and friendly way communicated to that Gentleman) candour obliges me to declare to you, that unless matters are placed on a very different footing than what they now are, and in a very short time too, I shall resort to other expedients than fruitless applications. - Did it suit my purposes to lend money at interest, that interest it will be granted ought to be paid [2] with punctuality.- But lending money is so far from being the case with me, of late years, that I have been obliged, from dire necessity, to borrow money at 6 pr ct; with very hard conditions annexed to it: and even under these disadvantages, am not able to supply my urgent occasions.
I am thus explicit, for the purpose of evincing to you, that necessity alone prompts me to make this plain and unequivocal declaration - and because I would not, if the Bond &ca. are put in suit, have improper motives ascribed to the act - more especially as it can be proved that I have done, and am still willg to do, every thing which in reason can be expected from me (under the circumstances I have mentioned) to avoid it .- With very great estm. and regard
I am - Dear Sir
Your Most Obedt. Hble Servt.
Go: Washington
PS.
If the Deed of confirmation for the Land on Four Mile Run, bought from the Attorneis of your Brother Colo. George Mercer, is in your possession, I would be glad to receive it. - And if you can inform me (from recollection) whether Deeds passed to me at the sale of the Shenandoah land, for the two Lots I bought there, it would do me a favor - I can find find none among my land papers; but could wish to have the title to it secured. -
GW-
The Honble.
James Mercer Esqr.
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