From George Washington to William Ramsay, 29 January 1769
To William Ramsay
Mount Vernon 29th January 1769.
Dear Sir,
Frequently as I have seen you of late, I have always forgot to inform you, that Mr Adam, on whom I have depended for money, declare’s his inability of supplying me; it is not only out of my power therefore to furnish you & Mr Fairfax with the sum asked, but to comply with sundry engagements of my own; for both of which I am really sorry.1
Having once or twice of late heard you speak highly in praise of the Jersey College, as if you had a desire of sending your Son William there (who I am told is a youth fond of study & instruction, & disposed to a sedentary studious Life; in following of which he may not only promote his own happiness, but the future welfare of others) I shou’d be glad, if you have no other objection to it than what may arise from the expence, if you wou’d send him there as soon as it is convenient & depend upon me for Twenty five pounds this Currency a year for his support so long as it may be necessary for the completion of his Education—If I live to see the accomplishment of this term, the Sum here stipulated shall be annually paid, and if I die in the mean while, this letter shall be obligatory upon my Heirs or Executors to do it according to the true intent & meaning hereof—No other return is expected or wished for, for this offer than that you will accept it with the same freedom & good will with which it is made, & that you may not even consider it in the ⟨mutilated⟩ of an obligation, or mention it as such; for be assur’d that from me, it never will be known.2 I am Dr Sir Your most obedt Servant
G: Washington
LB, DLC:GW.
1. Ramsay and George William Fairfax spent the night of 3 Jan. 1769 at Mount Vernon, when the business referred to here may have been discussed. “Mr Adam” is Robert Adam, merchant of Alexandria.
2. On 24 Feb. 1772 GW entered £25 in his account with Ramsay as “Cash advanced on Acct of your Son William at the Jersey College” (, folio 47). In October 1772 GW recorded on the other side of the ledger £25: “By my promise to allow towards the Support of his Son at the Jersey College £25 pr Ann. to commence from the time of his going there which was in Octr last.” GW twice again records paying the £25, in June 1773 and in July 1774. Young Ramsay is not listed among the graduates of Princeton.