From George Washington to George Minor, 13 April 1794
To George Minor
Philadelphia 13th Aprl 1794
Sir,
From a letter which I have lately received from Doctr Stuart, I learn that depredations continue to be made upon my land on four mile run, in the County of Fairfax; & that you were so obliging as to inform him, that you would use your endeavours to rescue it from further injury if I should request it.1
This offer is kind, and I thank you for having had the goodness to make it; and do hereby vest you with power to watch over, & punish in any manner the Laws will authorise, any, and every person whatsoever who shall be found trespassing thereon.
The growth on the land, I always considered as the most valuable part of the property; stripped of this, as there appears to be a strong disposition to do by lawless people, and the value of it is reduced in the ratio of the Trespasses.
Sometime since, perhaps two or three years, I desired my Nephew Mr Bushrod Washington to bring suits against those who had been detected in taking off Wood, Hoop poles, &ca but what, or whether any thing resulted from it, is unknown to me at this moment.2
Nothing short of vigorous measures, I am now persuaded, will stop the injustice I am sustaining, and these I am resolved to pursue. any reasonable expence therefore which may be incurred in carrying this resolution into effect, & for your trouble, will be cheerfully paid by Sir Your Obedient Hble Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. I have directed Mr Wm Pearce my Manager to converse with you on this business when he shall see you in Alexandria.3
ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW. GW enclosed this letter in his letter to David Stuart of this date.
1. Stuart informed GW in a letter of 4 April that timber, especially the hoop-ash trees, was being removed from GW’s land at Four Mile Run.
2. For GW’s charge to his nephew and for Bushrod Washington’s response, see GW to Bushrod Washington, 8 Jan. 1792, and notes 3 and 4.
3. GW gave these directions in a letter to Pearce of this date.