WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Autograph letter signed (''G:o Washington'') to Ralph Wormeley, Mount Vernon, 18 November 1799.

WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Autograph letter signed ("G:o Washington") to Ralph Wormeley, Mount Vernon, 18 November 1799.

One page, 244 x 198mm (visible) (mild dampstains). Matted and framed with portrait.

A month before his death, Washington alludes to his appointment as Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief during the Quasi-war with France. Washington quashes a rumor that he was planning to visit Norfolk Virginia, admitting he had not "been farther from home since I left the Chair of Government, than the Federal City*" adding in the margin, "{*except when I was called to Philadelphia by the Secretary of War}" and adds that his advancing age "will circumscribe my Walks; unless, which heaven avert! I should be obliged to resume a military career." Although Washington had accepted a commission as Commander-in-Chief of the provisional army raised to defend against possible land invasion by France, he accepted knowing that Alexander Hamilton, Inspector General of the Army, and Tobias Lear, his personal Secretary, would act on his behalf. Although he was in good health, he had begun to slow down. The week before, the Alexandria Dancing Assembly had invited the Washingtons to an event, but he begged off: “But Alas! Our dancing days are no more” (Freeman, vol. 7, pp. 609).

Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY FROM THE ROGER D. JUDD COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL LETTERS, DOCUMENTS AND MANUSCRIPTS