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WASHINGTON, GEORGE

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WASHINGTON, GEORGE
(1732 - 1799) First President of the United States and commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. A fascinating Washington document, his autograph endorsement signed on the verso of a 10" x 4" manuscript D.S. reading: "Received of James Rumsey Six Shillings for going with Michael Bowman twelve miles in pursuit of Runaway Servants June 9, 1786 [Signed] Daniel Neale". On the verso, Washington approves the payment paid for the chase: "Allowed this 5th Aug. 1786 G. Washington". Also endorsed and signed by Washington's friend and the project's chief engineer, inventor GEORGE RUMSEY. At the time of this document, Washington was enthusiastically involved as President of the Potowmack Canal Company which sought to build a canal, locks and channels on the Potomac River. Slaves were used in the construction of the canal, and Washington did of course own slaves himself, so it is entirely possible that the "runaways" referred to here were indeed slaves. The document bears rather uneven margins, a few ink spots in the text with one affecting one letter in Washington's text, signature is bold and distinct.