George Washington Autograph Letter Signed Archives - Raptis Rare Books | Fine Rare and Antiquarian First Edition Books for Sale

April 10, 1781.

Highly important letter signed (“Go: Washington”), as Commander-in-Chief, 2 pages folio, “Head Quarters New Windsor April 10 [17]81”, to his French ally Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, the body of the letter in the hand of his trusted aide-de-camp, Alexander Hamilton; horizontal fold separation repaired, minor tears and chips along margins. In the spring of 1781, officials from Massachusetts approached Rochambeau with a proposal to attack the British post at the mouth of the Penobscot river— established in June 1779 to secure timber for shipyards in Halifax and to protect Nova Scotia from any American advance. On 6 April, Rochambeau informed Washington he was willing to send a detachment of troops and that Admiral Destouches was willing to offer naval assistance. But, observing that he was under Washington's command, he would await his approval before approving the action (Rochambeau to Washington, 6 April 1781, Papers of George Washington, Library of Congress). Washington responds in the present letter offering his gratitude. The Commander-in Chief explains that Destouches, who had only recently lost a naval engagement with the British in an unsuccessful attempt to relieve Lafayette in Virginia, would be willing “to undertake the expedition ...

Price: $165,000.00 Item Number: 125872

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"let those who are really inclinable to buy, come forward, like men that are in earnest, and say what they will give": Rare Autograph Letter Signed by George Washington as the First President of the United States of America

WASHINGTON, George.

George Washington Autograph Letter Signed.

January 24, 1790.

Rare autograph letter signed by George Washington as the first President of the United States. Quarto, one page, the letter reads in full, "New York Jany 24th 1790 Sir Capt. Burnett delivered me your letter of the 18th and is so obliging as to take charge of this answer - It is my sincere opinion that the land mentioned in it is worth what I asked for it--to wit four dollars per acre and once would have sold for it; but if, in the present scarcity of cash it rather fetch that sum, let those who are really inclinable to buy, come forward, like men that are in earnest, and say what they will give--If they, or their Agent have seen the land, (and without this it is useless to name any price) have examined its qualities and improvements, they can say what they will give, and ought to act with candour. -On these terms I am ready to treat with them. It is not my intention to dispose of the land for a song, nor is it my wish to higgle, or make many words to the bargain--for which reason I pray them to come to a decision at once, and that you would inform me of the result. At any rate it would be proper for you to write to me, & soon, that I may not miss any other offer should any be made to. Sir, Yr most Obed. Hble Serv G Washington." In very good condition, silked on recto and vers...

Price: $65,000.00 Item Number: 141583

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Rare Letter signed by George Washington regarding his various land holdings in Virginia

WASHINGTON, George.

George Washington Letter Signed.

Mount Vernon: July 28, 1785.

Rare letter signed by George Washington to his land agent in Virginia, Battaile Muse. Quarto, three pages on a single folded leaf, the letter is addressed to Mr. Battaile Muse. The body of the letter, in a secretarial hand, reads in full: "Mount Vernon, July 28, 1785 Sir: A few days ago by a Mr. Hickman, who either is, or wants to be a tenant of mine in Frederick County. I sent you a Dozen Blank leases. The Tract on which he says he is fixed, is part of two lots which I purchased at the sale of Colo. George Mercer's Estate, in the year 1774: a plot of which I send you, that the whole may be arranged into four tenements, as conveniently disposed as water &c. will admit. In Sept. last, whilst I was at my Brother's in Berkely [sic], many Persons applied for this Land. But from causes which then existed I came to no positive agreement with any; referring them to Mr. Snickers, who was so kind as to promise that he would fix matters for me (as I was in a hurry and could not go upon the Land myself) on the terms which, if I recollect right, I gave him in a letter. Some time after two men of the names of Winzer and Beaver, with the letter enclosed from Mr. Snickers, came here, and were told that I would comply with whatever agreement was made with them by him: among other thing...

Price: $40,000.00 Item Number: 139571

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