ALS as president, signed "Go: Washington," one page, 7 x 8.25, May 17, 1795. Handwritten letter to his nephew, Colonel William Augustine Washington, in full: "If the enclosed should get to your hands in time, it may serve to remove doubts;—and for that purpose I give it a chance in the course of Post." Addressed on the integral leaf in Washington's hand, "Colo: Will'm Aug'e Washington, Haywood, Westmorel'd City, Virginia," and franked in the lower left, "Recom'd to the care of the Post Master, Fredericksb'g, President, U.S." Attractively double-matted and framed with an engraved portrait (featuring a facsimile signature) to an overall size of 18.25 x 13, with a window in the back for viewing the address panel. In fine condition. A fantastic George Washington letter in all respects: boldly handwritten and signed as president, sent to a family member (and thus incorporating "Washington" in the salutation and address, in addition to the signature), and adding his title, "President U.S.," to frank the cover.
By this letter, Washington likely forwarded one from George Cabot, dated May 9th, reassuring him of the likely admittance of some family members and acquaintances to Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. George Washington's nephews, Augustine Washington and Bushrod Washington, Jr., enrolled at Phillips Andover that year, as did the sons of William Augustine's father-in-law Richard Henry Lee, Cassius Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee. George Washington had visited the school during the first year of his presidency in 1789, John Hancock signed the school's articles of incorporation, and the great seal of the school was designed by Paul Revere.
Col. William Augustine Washington (1757-1810), the son of President George Washington's half-brother, had served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Westmoreland County, and would become one of the seven executors of George Washington's estate.
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