Difference between revisions of "Wythe to George Washington, 16 July 1787"
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[[George Wythe]] was forced to resign from the Virginia delegation of the Federal Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, due to the illness of his wife, Elizabeth, back in Williamsburg. | [[George Wythe]] was forced to resign from the Virginia delegation of the Federal Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, due to the illness of his wife, Elizabeth, back in Williamsburg. | ||
| − | A [[:File:BrotherheadCentennialBookOfTheSigners1872.jpg|facsimile of this letter]] from George Wythe was published in William Brotherhead's ''The Centennial Book of the Signers'' (Philadelphia: J.M. Stoddart, 1872), listed as being in the "possession of F.J. Dreer, Esq." A catalogue of the autographs of Ferdinand Julius Dreer, privately distributed in 1893, lists this letter as being from Wythe to the Governor of Virginia, Beverley Randolph.<ref>''A Catalogue of the Collection of Autographs Formed by Ferdinand Julius Dreer'' (Philadelphia: n.p., 1893), 253.</ref> However, since the letter specifically mentions | + | A [[:File:BrotherheadCentennialBookOfTheSigners1872.jpg|facsimile of this letter]] from George Wythe was published in William Brotherhead's ''The Centennial Book of the Signers'' (Philadelphia: J.M. Stoddart, 1872), listed as being in the "possession of F.J. Dreer, Esq." A catalogue of the autographs of Ferdinand Julius Dreer, privately distributed in 1893, lists this letter as being from Wythe to the acting Governor of Virginia, Beverley Randolph.<ref>''A Catalogue of the Collection of Autographs Formed by Ferdinand Julius Dreer'' (Philadelphia: n.p., 1893), 253.</ref> However, since the letter specifically mentions a [[Wythe to Edmund Randolph, 16 June 1787|letter written to the governor]], [[Edmund Randolph]], and addresses the "executive" of the Federal Convention, it is most likely this letter was written to George Washington, head of the Virginia delegation, and president of the Convention. |
==Letter text, 16 July 1787== | ==Letter text, 16 July 1787== | ||
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Sir, | Sir, | ||
| − | The reason which moved me, and the only one which could have moved me, to retire from the convention at Philadelphia, not only continues, but i fear is more urgent than it was. the executive, therefore, are desired to consider my letter to governour Randolph, or this, sir, to you, as a resignation of the office which i was deputed <sub>^</sub><sup>to</sup> sustain in the convention. i have the honour, with undissembled respect, to be, | + | The reason which moved me, and the only one which could have moved me, to retire from the convention at Philadelphia, not only continues, but i fear is more urgent than it was. the executive, therefore, are desired to consider my [[Wythe to Edmund Randolph, 16 June 1787|letter to governour Randolph]], or this, sir, to you, as a resignation of the office which i was deputed <sub>^</sub><sup>to</sup> sustain in the convention. i have the honour, with undissembled respect, to be, |
::::::sir, | ::::::sir, | ||
::::::::your most obedient serv. | ::::::::your most obedient serv. | ||
Revision as of 16:13, 23 May 2019
George Wythe was forced to resign from the Virginia delegation of the Federal Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, due to the illness of his wife, Elizabeth, back in Williamsburg.
A facsimile of this letter from George Wythe was published in William Brotherhead's The Centennial Book of the Signers (Philadelphia: J.M. Stoddart, 1872), listed as being in the "possession of F.J. Dreer, Esq." A catalogue of the autographs of Ferdinand Julius Dreer, privately distributed in 1893, lists this letter as being from Wythe to the acting Governor of Virginia, Beverley Randolph.[1] However, since the letter specifically mentions a letter written to the governor, Edmund Randolph, and addresses the "executive" of the Federal Convention, it is most likely this letter was written to George Washington, head of the Virginia delegation, and president of the Convention.
Letter text, 16 July 1787
Sir,
The reason which moved me, and the only one which could have moved me, to retire from the convention at Philadelphia, not only continues, but i fear is more urgent than it was. the executive, therefore, are desired to consider my letter to governour Randolph, or this, sir, to you, as a resignation of the office which i was deputed ^to sustain in the convention. i have the honour, with undissembled respect, to be,
- sir,
- your most obedient serv.
16 july 1787
- G. Wythe
See also
References
- ↑ A Catalogue of the Collection of Autographs Formed by Ferdinand Julius Dreer (Philadelphia: n.p., 1893), 253.
