Rare post Revolutionary War Letter Mount Vernon George Washington Translator For Sale
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Rare post Revolutionary War Letter Mount Vernon George Washington Translator:
$4500.00
style=\"text-decoration:none\" height=\"27px\" valign=\"middle\" face=\"arial\" rare letter written in Mount Vernon VA, at George Washington\'s plantation and home, Mount Vernon VA. This letter was written 2 years after the country\'s independence at the home of George Washington prior to him becoming President of the United States. WOW!. The history of this letter exudes good stuff. Let\'s go back in history: Young George Washington needs tutoring in the English Colony of America as appointed a new militia leader. The solution was to appoint Jacob Van Braam as his tutor. He taught Washington in fencing, arms, fortifications and \"an evolution of Arms\". He assisted Washington in the French and Indian Was as a translator and was essentially a soldier of War.This letter discusses the completion of payment for these services about 30 years later and a lot has transpired since, Apparently Van Braam decided to fight for the British in the subsequent revolution in the colonies and they lost. Despite that Washington commanders Mercer and Alexandre note payment from him in this letter in 1774 and looks like additional payments in 1786 and this is being attested to by George Washington in Fredricksburg VA in 1786...two years after the letter started in Mount Vernon. (It is not Washington\'ssignatureand is likely attested to and being signed for him.)
It appears that land is owed to Van Braam, in VA for his colonial service in the French and Indian War under the earlier auspices of Governor Dinwiddie and the letter alludes or is about that. Trying to read through the lines Van Braam had earlier written to Washington from Europeapologizingto Washington and this letter refers to a letter that may have been that apology. It would seem that action could have been forgiven given Washington\'s deep ties to Van Braam and that Van Braam hadformerlybeen in the British Navy prior to training Washington.
The below is the best translation I was capable of doing of the letter.United States of America Virginia Mount VernonJanuary 10th, 1786
I hereby certify to whom it may concerns that, James Mercer Commander of Virginia – South, has paid me, on December Twelfth 1774, the amount of fifty-four pounds currency of Virginia (equals to the value of forty-three pounds four in the currency of the Great Britain) for the use of Jacob Van Braam Commander then of Virginia previously Captain of Regiment of Virginia, the same person from whom I have recently received a letter dated at the Château de Rouville near Malesherbes, France ;
this amount of money has been paid by me, in discharge of the necessary expense to insure --- .S.⁰ Van Braam his part of quota of land Col officer to the Service of Virginia for the proclamation of the Honourable Robert Dinwiddie Gnl Lieutenant General of Virginia
In Witness whereof I have signed three certificates of same content and date
Col. ----- Ge Washington :/:Virginia, Fredericksburg may 21 1786.--- For ₤67.17.6.
At thirty --- of this third exchange my first and second of same content and date --, paid to Mr. William Alexandre --- the amount of ₤ 67.17.6 sterling money of the Great Britain (as Guinea at 31 S. in Piaster at 4/6 each). For ₤48.4 Sterling that I have paid here for your use on December 12th, 1774 and Interests --- amount to this day. Col -- --- Certificate of his Excellency George Washington Governor Commander in Chief of the American army, attached with ------- ------- ---- of S p % for ----- amount of ₤48 1/1 – from this day until the payment, payment made in time and this document will be an acquired [right?] of, Mister your humble servant SignedA Mercer, a Jacob Van Braam Commander, in the Château de Rouville near Malesherbes France the -----------Paid to the order of Mr. Le Couteulx Value the Account Signed —William Alexandre and --- --- —On the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty-six, on December fourteenth --- --- the Request of Mister Le Couteulx Banker
A very historic and rare letter from our early history and quite a find. Feel free to ask me questions.I am a old school wholesaler dealer and scour GA and New England for the best to buy for my customers. I love what I do and feel that we that can deal in antiques and preserve history are the luckiest ofall. I am also the founder of WorthPoint and would encourage all to visit it if you want to research antique prices.I focus on happy repeat customers and love what I do and try to ensure all customers are happy.
I charge GA sales tax to GA residents. I specialize in paper, photos , coins and militaria. I sell about anything except reproductions.
If buying internationally, email me for final postage if you are the winner. \'s quoted postage tends to be too high for a 1st class envelope. Also I make a fulldecelerationof sales value, thus please do not ask or expect otherwise.