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Washington, George (1732-1799) to Edmund Randolph

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07161 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 September 1789 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25.3 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy

Signed with initials ("G.W.") President Washington states that a painful disorder prevented him from replying sooner to a letter from Randolph. Discusses the lottery of the deceased Colonel Byrd, stating that one of the associates of this lottery, Thomson [Mason?], was authorized to manage the distribution of the lottery prizes. Reports that Edmund's uncle, Peyton Randolph, was also one of the Lottery's associates. Referring to a governmental post sought by a Mr. Powell, states that "under my best information and a full view of all circumstances I shall endeavor to the best of my judgment to combine justice to individuals with the public good making the latter my primary object."

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Randolph served as United States Attorney General 26 September 1789-1795 and as Governor of Virginia 1786-1788.

New York Septr 8th. 1789.
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 2d. Ulto came duly to hand. - A tedious and painful disorder which deprived me [inserted: for many Wks] of the use of my pen, and which, consequently, required the greater exertion of it when I was able to set up, is the best apology I can make for not having acknowledged the receipt of the above letter sooner -
The list of [struck: Ticket holders] associates who purchased 100 Tickets in the Lottery of the deceased Colo. Byrd is all the Memr. I have of that transaction - To the best of my recollection Mr. Thomson Major (deceased) was one of the[inserted: se] associates and was either autherised or assumed (I do not know which) the management of the business - [strikeout] [inserted: He] [illegible] did it so effectually [struck: (as I have been told) as to dispose of the prizes without accounting for the produce of them.] [inserted: it seems as to monopolize the whole interest]- Some of the[struck: se] prises it [struck: is] [inserted: has been] said, are valuable- but whether any cleue by which [struck: the business] [inserted: Mr. Masons conduit in this business can be developed I am unable to say. - Your Uncle (the Honble Payton Randolph) was one of the ten associates- [struck: If] [inserted: But if neither] Mr Fitzhugh nor any [inserted, struck: other] of the others who are living can give such information as would avail [inserted: in an enquiry] we must, I presume, set down with the loss of the money & prizes.-
[2] With respect to Mr. Powell's application I can only repeat [inserted: to you] what I say [inserted: to all others] upon [struck: all] similar occasions - [struck: and] that is - [struck: to] leave myself entirely free until the Office is established and the moment [inserted: shall] arrive when the nomination is to be made - then, under [inserted: my best information and] a full view of all circumstances I shall endeavor to the best of my judgment to combine justice to individuals with the public good making the latter my primary object. - My best [struck: respects] wishes attend M Randolph and your family and with sentimts. of sincere regard and friendship
I am - Dr. Sir
Yr: Most Obed. & Affecte
Servt.
GW -
[docket]
Edmund Randolph Esqr.
8th Sep: 1789

Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Mason, Thomson, 1733-1785
Randolph, Peyton, 1721-1775

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