September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
WASHINGTON, Lawrence (1718-1752) George Washington's half-brother and mentor. He married Anne Fairfax (1728-1761), daughter of Col. William Fairfax of Belvoir. On Lawrence's death, George inherited his estate at Mount Vernon. Rare, fine content and association A.L.S. "Law'e Washington" with integral address leaf, 2pp. legal folio, Jamaica, May 30, 1741 to AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON (1694 - 1743), his father and the father of George Washington. In part: "...I shall avoid saying much of our Carthagean Expedition the success of which you will soon have in print...distroy'd eight Forts, six Men of War, six Galleons & some Merchant ships, what number of men they lost we know not, the enemy killed of our about six hundred & some wounded, & the climate killed us in greater numbers... some [regiments] are so weak as to be reduced to a third of their Men, a great Quantity of the Officers amongst the rest are dead...what we are next to do is a secret...some talk of the Havana, others Panama...I mentioned the extravagance of this Island but they have raised the price of everything...I have remained on board Admiral Vernon's ship ever since we left Hispaniola...War is horrid in fact, but much more so in imagination...We take many valuable prizes but no doubt they are all inserted in your papers from the Jamaica...Most people imagine our Regiment fared on the very best footing & that we shall continue in North America, but I hope not at the expense of the Colonies. Some talk of recruiting in America, if so I shall apply for one & there do the best I can to inform you of the affair...If the sailors can claim much honor, I partake of it as Cap'n of the soldiers who acted as Marines, but we meet no opposition, tho really some of the attempts were bold or rather rash..." Unrelated note on the address leaf in an unknown hand reads: "Deliv'd to Jno. Henry Washington 3 hh Tobb[acco] at [?] Marked AWN[?]..." with the hogsheads' numerical markings also indicated. Expert archival tape repairs to a few folds, one small hole in text filled, boldly penned and signed. Lawrence Washington was at the time serving in the British Navy battling the Spanish in the Caribbean. His commanding officer was Admiral Edward Vernon. In 1743 Lawrence Washington rebuilt the home their father Augustine had earlier built on the family's Virginia property. Initially named Epsewasson after a facing creek, the plantation was later renamed in honor of Vernon, hence the name "Mount Vernon". A very rare, fine content letter!
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