A Guide to the George Washington Letters, 1779-1796
A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 24147
Library of Virginia
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© 2006 By The Library of Virginia. All Rights Reserved.
Processed by: Trenton Hizer
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Preferred Citation
George Washington Letters, 1779-1796. Accession 24147. Personal Papers Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
Acquisition Information
Purchased, April 1954, from Mary Garland of Richmond, Virginia.
Biographical Information
George Washington was born 22 February 1732 (adjusted calendar) in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Augustine Washington (1694-1743) and Mary Ball Washington (1708-1789). He became a surveyor at a young age, and an officer in the Virginia militia. Washington was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Virginia militia during the French and Indian War. He was a member of the House of Burgesses from 1758 to 1774, and a member of the first and second Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775. On 15 June 1775, Washington was appointed General commanding the Continental Army and served until 1783. He was president of the Federal Constitutional Convention in 1787, and was elected the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He married Martha Dandridge Custis (1731-1802) 6 January 1759. Washington died at Mount Vernon in Fairfax County, Virginia, 14 December 1799, and was buried there
Scope and Content
Letters, 1779-1796, from George Washington (1732-1799) to Henry Lee (1756-1818) concerning military matters relating to Lee's command and its monitoring of British movements; expressing Washington's desire to improve communication and transportation routes between the Atlantic coast and western settlers; stating Washington's disinclination to have portraits painted; concerning Washington's interest in a threshing machine; and discussing political concerns. Also includes an address to Washington from the citizens of Alexandria, Virginia, on his election to the presidency.
Adjunct Descriptive Data
Location of OriginalsOriginals are located at the Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia.