William Lyles to George Augustine Washington, 3 December 1791
William Lyles to George Augustine Washington
Broad Creek Decr 3d 17911
Dear Sir
Mr Murray informs me he had paid you £93.11.8, in part of what you are to receive from me—This sum has been ready some time, and I fully expected the whole amt would have been paid you pointedly at the time it became due by Colo. Fitzgerald, who had money in his hands of mine and alloted for that very purpose, but I am told he has not paid you a Shilling for my ⟨acct⟩.2
I am extremely mortified that the whole is not paid before this day, but the Situation of my family is and has been such with the small pox, that I have not been able to attend to any part of my affairs, I shall as Soon as it is possible pay up the balce. I am with great esteem Dr Sir your Obt servt
Wm Lyles
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. William Lyles was probably writing from the Broad Creek in Prince Georges County, Md., across the Potomac River and slightly south of Alexandria, Virginia. For an identification of Lyles and the background to this letter, see Lyles to GW, 3 April 1789.
2. Lyles was obligated to discharge a debt of £795.15.4 owed to GW by Robert Alexander. According to his April 1789 agreement with GW, Lyles was to repay the debt in four annual payments of £123.18.10 to be paid on 19 Sept. 1790, 1791, 1792, and 1793 (, 361). Mr. Murray was probably John Murray, an Alexandria merchant. Colonel Fitzgerald was Alexandria merchant John Fitzgerald.