337

GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-99) First President of United States. ADS, signed "G Washington" at concl...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-99) First President of United States. ADS, signed  G Washington  at concl...
GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-99) First President of United States. ADS, signed "G Washington" at conclusion and 4 times as "George Washington" in the text, 1p, Aug 3, 1770, folio, agreement with George Muse, whereby Washington agrees to help Muse get land that he may be due from his military service in the French and Indian War, in exchange for a one third ownership in same. Reads in part, "Articles of agreement...between George Muse of the County of Caroline...& George Washington of the County of Fairfax...Muse hath this day agreed...to let the said George Washington...have one full third part of all the land which he...has, or is entitled to under Govr [Robert] Dinwiddes proclamation...of 1754 & that he his Heirs Executors...will at any time when thereunto required by the said George Washington...make over and convey in a full clear and ample manner all his...Right Title and Interest...In consideration whereof George Washington doth hereby agree...at all the cost...which shall arise in Surveying and securing the said Muses share of the above Grant...and permit...said Muse...to have, hold & enjoy the other two thirds of the said share..." In 1754 Governor Robert Dinwiddie (1693-1770) of Virginia issued a proclamation granting 200,000 acres of land on the Ohio River, to be divided among the troops who fought in the French and Indian War. The claims of the officers and soldiers to these lands met with innumerable obstacles for many years, first from England, and then from the authorities in Virginia. Muse was an officer in 1754 under Washington; he was, however, found guilty of cowardice at Fort Necessity and was discharged in disgrace. Knowing that he had a questionable claim for the land, Muse contracted with Washington to use his influence with the government to obtain the land grant. History books infer that Washington acted on Muse's behalf with no thought of remuneration, but this original document in Washington's hand indicates a different story. Washington wanted one third of the land for his services. In addition to the signatures of Washington and Muse, it is signed by three witnesses, including Charles Washington. Document has professionally repaired folds and margins, and has been silked for preservation. Average overall soiling for a document of this type. Attractive and framable. $20,000-30,000