George Washington to Wythe, 17 January 1774
George Washington, Mr. Black, and Mrs. Black had issues over Deeds and a Bond. Mrs. Black refused to execute the deeds George Wythe had drawn up for Washington until he surrendered Mr. Black's bond which was protecting Washington against the claim of Mrs. Black's dower. Washington sent Mr. Hill to Wythe to get his advice on the matter and have Mr. Hill provide Wythe with more information on the details. Washington asked Wythe to send him his thoughts and how he thinks he should proceed.
"George Washington to Wythe, 17 January 1774 pg 1." Image from the Library of Congress, George Washington Papers.
Letter text
Page 1
To George Wythe Esq.
Sir,
I find my trouble is not like to be at an end with Mr. Black; Mrs. Black (by his procurement I think I could almost venture to say) has refused to execute the Deeds you drew from them to me; and which is still more extraordinary, he himself has denied possession of the Mills (as Mr. Hill informs me) & the other premises generally, as you may see by his letter to me, forwarded to Mr. Hill, 'till
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"George Washington to Wythe, 17 January 1774 pg 2." Image from the Library of Congress, George Washington Papers.
January – 1774
'till I have first surrendered his Bond, which is the only security I have for his doing of that, & indemnifying me against the Claim of his Wife’s Dower; (unless I relinquish the Bargain altogether, & resort wholely to Colo. Byrds Trustees for a return of the 5,000 pounds & to Black for the remaining £500, which I have no inclination to do, as I presume you were satisfied with the title) – Under these circumstances I have directed Mr. Hill to wait upon you for your advice: - he can inform you of matters as they stand, between him and Mr. Black, & shew you a letter which I have wrote to the latter, I sent open to him, that he may bear testimony to the contents, & execute my directions therein contained, provided you approve of them; otherwise to follow any other you may think proper to give him. - You will also judge, Sir, from what you may hear from Mr. Hill – what I have wrote Mr. Black – the whole matter in its present state (which you are pretty well acquainted with) whether I ought to give up the enclosed Bond, as I have accepted of Blacks title, tho’ the conditions of the Contract, on his part, are not complied with. I resort wholely to his own bond, endeavouring under that to enforce a compliance; or whether with propriety, I can, or ought to hold both. Please to drop me a few lines, with your sentiments on the matter by the Post to Alexandria, & in the mean while advise Mr. Hill in what manner to proceed, if you disapprove of my directions to him. –
Mount Vernon
January 17th 1774
I am, with very great affection
Sir, Your mo. obt. hble servt.
G: WashingtonP.S. If Black’s Bond can have no operation against him (respecting Dower) ‘till dower is actually claimed by Mrs. Black, in case she should be the survivor, and the Bond from Colo. Byrds Trustees is not render’d void, by my not declaring myself dissatisfied with Blacks title, & reclaiming my money before the 25th of Decr., query whether, if Black is pleased with his purchase of the Falls Estate, the keeping hold upon those Gentlemen’s Bond, & requesting them not convey title Mr. Black has first done it, may not prove the most effectual means of obtaining her consent. – I only ask for information; if upon considering the matters, this should be your opinion, please to let the Speaker know how the mat-
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"George Washington to Wythe, 17 January 1774 pg 3." Image from the Library of Congress, George Washington Papers.
January - 1774
matter stands between Black & myself, that they may not be imposed upon by him, as I believe he will stick at nothing to carry his points.-
Yrs as before
G. W-n.
