To George Washington from George Clinton, 17 December 1795
From George Clinton
Greenwich [Village, N.Y.] 17th December 1795
Dear Sir
I some Days since received your Favour of the 23d Ultimo—As there is certainly no incompatibility in my acting as your Attorney in the management and sale of the Lands in which we are jointly interested, I now agreably to your Request inclose a Power for you to execute for that Purpose1—It will be proper to do it in the presence of two Witnesses, one of whom should be a Person coming hither that he may prove it before a proper Officer in the State in order to its’ being recorded—But if I recollect right your Acknowledgment or the Proof of it before one of the Justices of the Supream Court of the United States will be as Effectual and perhaps it may be more convenient to you to have it done in that way.2
AL (fragment), DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed power of attorney appointed Clinton “true and lawful Attorney for me and in my Name to grant bargain sell, release and convey all and singular” GW’s share in the “several Lotts, Pieces and parcels of Land being Parts of the Tract or Tracts of Land commonly called and distinguished by the Names of Coxburgh and Carolana situate on the Southerly Side of the Mohawk River” in Herkimer County, N.Y., “at such Price & prices and for such Consideration as he shall deem proper And the Monies arising & accruing from such Sale or Sales to receive and take for my use and benefit And also good and sufficient Deeds of Conveyance for me & in my Name to make and execute for granting, releasing conveying and asuring to the Purchasser or Purchassers thereof all my Part and Share of and in the said Lotts, Pieces and Parcels of Land and of and in any or either of them and all my Estate and Interest therein with a Covenant of Warrante and other usual Covenants to be inserted in the said Deeds for securing the Title of the Premisses so to be sold to the Purchasser or Purchassers thereof And to do every other lawful Acts and Things whatsoever concerning the Premisses as fully and amply as I myself might or could do if I were personally present.” GW crossed out one word from the ratifying statement for grammatical reasons and then signed the document on 24 Dec. in the presence of his secretary Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., and steward Frederick Kitt (DS, in Clinton’s writing, NNebgGW).
2. GW proved the document before Justice James Wilson on 25 Dec. (typescript, NNebgGW).