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Washington, George (1732-1799) [Land bond to increase acreage at Mount Vernon]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00479 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph document signed Date: 22 June 1769 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 32 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Cosigned by Robert Alexander. Washington refers to himself in the third person seven times. Alexander wants to sell 300 acres of Maryland land his wife inherited from her father to George Washington. Washington hoped to exchange the plot with Thomas Hanson Marshall for land adjacent to Mount Vernon. The agreement was contingent upon approval by Alexander's wife, who had not reached the age of 21. Alexander agreed he would not sell the land to anyone without Washington's approval, "this clause is expressly provided as a means to induce her Compliance because it is highly presumable that if she is once satisfied that it is for her Husbands Interest to part with the Land and finds that he can do it but to one person only she will not be so unreasonable as to withhold her consent." Washington eventually purchased the land in March 1779. Docketed June 27.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

We the Subscribers have put our hands to the following memm. of an agreement till such time as proper Bonds can be drawn to ratifie and confirm the same. -
Vizr
On the part and behalf of the Subscriber Robert Alexander it is agreed and provided.
First - That he shall sell unto George Washington upo<n> the Conditions hereafter mentioned a certain Tract of Land lying in Prince George County in the Provence of Maryland containing by estimation Three hundred Acres (be the same more or less) adjoining to the Lands of Captn. Hanson Marshall and others and being a Tract held by the said Robert Alexander in right of his wife Marianne under the Will of John Shoddard Gentl. her deceasd Father.
Secondly - That he obliges himself to convey the said Land to the said George Washington so soon as Mrs. Alexander his said Wife attains to the age of Twenty one years and will make him a good Right there to provided the said Mr. Alexander Survives that age and can by any fair and reasonable means be induced to consent be the same and if not that then, and in that case only to refund to the said George Washington all and every Sum and Sums of money which he the said Alexander may have receivd in payment for the Land. -
Thirdly - The said Alexander doth further agree that if he cannot prevail on his said wife to convey the Land as above that he will not attempt to sell it to any other person or persons whatsoever without the consent of the said George Washington. - As this clause is expressly provided as a means to induce her Compliance because it is highly presumable that if she is once satisfied that it is for her Husbands Interest to part with the Land and finds that he can do it but to one person only she will not be so unreasonable as to withhold her consent.
Lastly - If Mr Hanson Marshall of Maryland (with whom this Land is intended to be exchangd) should agree to give up possession of his Land in Fairfax County [2] to the said George Washington for the prospect of obtaining the other That Mr. Alexander obliges himself in that case to surrender Possession thereof to the said Hanson Marshall (under colour of Renting it, till the Title can be transferred) - But, if on the other hand Mr. Marshall shoud not Incline to quit a certainty for an uncertainty nor make an absolute exchange like Mr. Alexander is actually of age and qualified to dispose of it and in consequence thereof Mr. Alexander continues to receive the profits of the Land as the Money which is hereby advanced for it then and in that case Mr. Alexander doth agree to pay the said George Washington Interest on all such Sums or Sums as may be advanced in consequence of this Bargain from the dates thereof till he gives up the use of the aforesaid 300 Acres of Land and conveys the same
In consideration of Mr. Robr Alexanders agreeing to the foregoing Articles the Subscriber George Washington doth on his part Covenant and Promise. -
First - That he will allow Mr Robert Alexander the Sum of Forty Shillings Maryland Currency for every Acre, which the aforesaid Tract in Maryland shall actually measure and that he will pay for the same in Gold, Silver, or Paper, according to the several Rates which they respectively pass at in that Provence
Secondly That he will pass his Bond to the said Robt. Alexander for the payment of any Sum, not exceeding Five hundred pounds Maryland Cury. at or before the next Octr. General Court as also for the payment of the residue of the Money which shall be found due on Acct. of the Land at the first Genl. Court which shall follow the Conveyance thereof (to him the said George Washington or his assigns). and this Last with Interest thereon. -
[3] In Testimony of our Mutual agreement to all and Singular the Articles before mentioned, and of our full Intent and purpose of abiding litterally thereby we have hereunto set our hands and affixd our Seals this 22d Day of June Anno Dome. One Thousand Seven hundred and Sixty nine.

Robt. Alexander
Go: Washington

[docket] Robt Alexander & } Agreemt Geo: Washington June 27. 1769

[overleaf]
Papers, respecting Genl. Washington and Robert Alexander

Washington, George, 1732-1799
Alexander, Robert, 1740-1805
Marshall, Thomas Hanson, 1731-1801

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