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Washington, George, 1732-1799 to John Fairfax

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07487 Author/Creator: Washington, George, 1732-1799 Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: March 1789 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; Height: 30.7 cm, Width: 18.8 cm Order a Copy

Before leaving Mount Vernon to serve his first term as President of the United States, Washington instructs Fairfax regarding management of the estate. States that all matters should ultimately be directed by his nephew, Major George Augustine Washington. Encourages Fairfax to manage Mount Vernon more diligently, stating "I have a very good opinion of your honesty, sobriety and industry, and now is the time to give me proofs of your capacity and skill." Laments the current condition of his manor, stating "it is idle and vain for me to attempt to stall feed any kind of Meats; when I have only my expence for my trouble, without a joint of meat which is fit to appear at a Gentlemans Table.- But I will rest in hope, that all these things will undergo a change for the better." Informs Fairfax that if he marries, his wife may "in all respects fare as you do."

Fairfax, John, fl. 1789
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Washington, George Augustine, 1759-1793
The New Nation, 1783-1815
President
Mount Vernon
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
Diet and nutrition
Marriage
Labor
Creating a New Government

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