From George Washington to John Cowper, 26 October 1793
To John Cowper
Mount Vernon 26. Octo. 93.
Sir,
I have in my possession a bond of yours, assigned to me by Mr Jno. Lewis, for £146.13.4d—payable with interest the 18. day of may last. I should be glad if you would cause it to be discharged as soon as convenient, as I am in want of the money.1
Tomorrow I shall leave this for the vicinity of Philada. the money may be sent by any of the Delegates of this State; or in any other manner more convenient to yourself. I am &c.
Go. Washington.
LB, DLC:GW.
1. This debt stemmed from Cowper’s purchase of land in North Carolina owned jointly by GW and the heirs of Fielding Lewis (see George Augustine Washington to GW, 7 Dec. 1790, and n.7; Indenture with John Cowper, 17 May 1791, and n.1). Cowper did not reply at this time, so GW wrote him again on 27 Jan. 1794 mentioning this letter and continuing, “as I have not heard from you on the subject, I presume the letter never reached your hands.
“My want of money urges me, Sir, to beg that you will cause the bond to be discharged with all convenient dispatch” (DfS, sold at auction by Christie’s, 1995). Cowper then indicated that payment might not be made until the end of June 1794, and GW did not receive payment until September 1794 (see GW to Cowper, 9 March and 4 Sept. 1794; GW to John Lewis, 8 Sept. 1794).