Washington, George (1732-1799) Free Franked Postmarked Envelope with Seal, 8 June 1788.

Description:

Washington, George (1732-1799) Free Franked Postmarked Envelope with Seal, 8 June 1788. Laid paper envelope addressed in Washington's hand to Oliver Pollock of Philadelphia, postmarked "ALEX, JUNE 9", with red sealing wax, and Washington's signature, cut around seal when opened, worn along the old folds, the seal itself flattened, 9 x 7 1/2 in.
The following letter, held at the Gilder Lehrman Collection, and dated 8 June 1788, from Washington at Mount Vernon, is likely the one originally contained in the present envelope: "Sir, I received your letter of the 11th of May at the moment when I was setting out for a preconcerted journey to meet the Directors of the Potomack Company on business of importance at the Shenandoah Falls- that circumstance has necessitated me to defer giving an acknowledgement until this time. It would be with particular pleasure that I should write to his Excellency the Governor of Louisiana on your behalf if I did not think that there would be a glaring impropriety in my assuming that liberty with that Representative of the Spanish King- especially as I have never had the honor of a personal acquaintance or any corrispondence with the Governor - I do not feel myself authorised to take a greater latitude of freedom in this respect than any other unknown private citizen these motives of delicacy on my part I hope will be considered in the same point of light, and of the same weight by you as they have appeared to me. With sentiments of consideration & respect I am, Sir , Your Most Obed. & Most Hble, Servant, Go: Washington."
Signer of the U.S. Constitution, Oliver Pollock operated as a merchant in Spanish New Orleans during the American Revolution and served as United States Agent at Havana, Cuba, 1783-1784.
Estimate $2,000-3,000


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