Letter, George Corbin Washington to John Forsyth, 1838

Containers:

Box 62, Folder 1838.12.24

Creator:

Washington, George Corbin, 1789-1854

Scope and content:

A.L.S. 6 pages. Georgetown. Apologies for delay in writing--has complied with terms of agreement regarding Washington papers--Judge W. gave away some autographs and substituted copies on unimportant letters--has retained letters of private character--refers McLane's letter of Dec. 10, 1833, to him, asking his terms for sale of letters, and his reply of Jan. 3, 1834 [see letter in question], agreeing to turn over all except private papers, or those whose publication would be improper at the time--refers to Forsyth's list of missing papers [see under letter of May 12 1838] and states which ones he regards as private and thus not included in the contract, and which are missing--refers to [Jared] Sparks' letter of [Sept. 20, 1836] which he encloses--knows of no letters being removed from bound volumes other than those accounted for by Mr. Sparks, except for corresp. between Genl. Washington and John Nicholas in relation to a letter addressed to G.W. over signature of Wm. Langhorne [see letter, Aug. 20, 1798 Bushrod W-n to G.W.; also letter of G.W. to Bush. W-n in Writings, XXXVI, 408-409, dated Aug. 12, 1798 ,] "as this correspondence deeply implicates the conduct of a distinguised individual of that day."--however, he will send the letters and he [Forsyth] may decide whether to keep or return them--despite fact Sparks published many of private papers, doesn't feel this makes him liable to part with them under contract--feels govt. paid very little of their value anyway, and has been more than compensated by evidence on fraudulent claims which papers revealed. Autograph letter signed, draft, docketed "Letter to the Hon. J. Forsyth Dec. 24, 1838 in reply to his letters dated May 12th 1838 and Dec. 15th 1838." Name on original manuscript appears as "G. C. Washington."

Names:

Washington, George Corbin, 1789-1854

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