Collections : [The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon]

Autograph letter signed with integral address panel. Bushrod Washington, Walnut Farm, to Martha Washington, Mount Vernon. Bushrod writes to Martha about purchasing corn from Colonel Washington.

Letter, 3 pages. London. Contains Wests comments on proposed reinterment of George Washington in the Federal city and monument to be raised to him -- recommends triangle or pyramid as most durable monument -- should be in prominent place, planted with trees -- monuments should be hollow -- rotunda, and brass pedestrian statue of Washington -- work to be of "monumental simplicity" -- 4 doors and stone coffin. Letter, marked "Copy of a letter from one West=the celebrated American artist in London to Rufus King, Esq. our Minister at that Court on the subject of a "Monument" to be erected to the memory of that illustrious citizen - George Washington, was obligingly handed us by a gentleman for publication - From Gazette of the United States and Daily Advertizer, Dec. 22, 1800". [Appended is a copy of "A Resolution of the Old Congress," describing the type of monument to be erected to Washington.]

Autograph letter signed, 4 pages. Nelly thanks Mrs. Pinckney for the shawl she sent and hopes she can visit Mount Vernon next summer, when Nelly and husband hope to be settled in their own house. She writes about the health of herself, her daughter Frances, and Martha Washington, who had a "bilious fever." She writes of the death of her sister Martha Peter's daughter Eleanor, who was buried in the family vault at Mount Vernon. With an envelope purported to contain Washington's hair.

Advises Martha Washington as to her rights under Washington's will--interprets for her what things are hers absolutely and which are only for use during her lifetime--residue of estate not specifically given to her or others is subject to "superior claim" of executors--relative rights of herself and the executors--rents and bank stocks--some points difficult to decide, must consult General Marshall upon them--these opinions are stated as a friend, without recourse to books, etc.

"Hoping that their condolence letter is not taken to be presumptuous, four women write to Martha Washington that their fathers fought with George Washington--therefore they request a lock of his hair, however small, as a memento--in a postscript, they also request a lock of Martha Washington's hair. (See: copy of Martha Washington's reply, dated March 12, 1800)."

Tobias Lear's copy of an explanatory letter from him to John Adams in which he elaborated on Martha Washington's December 31, 1799 letter he wrote on behalf of her.

Autograph letter signed. Condolence letter written by the Marquis de Lafayette, La Grange, to Martha after the death of George Washington.

Autograph letter signed with integral address panel. Condolence letter from Reverend Samuel Miller, New York, to Martha Washington, Mount Vernon, on the death of George Washington. He writes that he is inclosing a discourse he recently delivered on the occasion of Washington's death.