To George Washington from Richard Bowen to Bartholomew Dandridge, 12 August 1796
Richard Bowen to Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr.
[c.12 Aug. 1796]
Sir
As above is the acct for advertising the President’s farms. your remitting the amount per post will much oblige.1 If you have opportunities to Alexandria, it may be lodged in the hands of Mr McRea, post master, who will send it on by the rider to this place (Anthony Moore) whose receipt in my behalf shall be sufficient.2 Am, Sir, your hble Sert
Richd Bowen
ALS, DLC:GW. This letter has “Martinsburg Augt 12th” written on its cover, which was initially addressed to Dandridge at Mount Vernon before those words were struck out and “Philadelphia” written instead. Dandridge wrote “Septr 1796” on the docket.
Richard Bowen (d. 1808) established The Virginia Centinel; or, the Winchester Mercury at Winchester, Va., in 1788 and published the newspaper under various titles until his death.
1. Bowen’s tabular account written above the letter showed that GW owed $12 for three printings of his advertisement to lease his Mount Vernon farms that began on 26 Feb. (see also Advertisement, 1 Feb.). The advertisment appeared in Bowen’s Virginia Gazette: and the Winchester Centinel for 26 Feb. and 25 March. A third printing, probably on 11 March, has not been verified.
2. Dandridge wrote at the bottom of this letter: “Sent to Mr McRea by Mr Craik, for Mr Bowen.” He recorded payment directed to Bowen on 19 Sept. ().