To George Washington
Virginia [c.31 July 1797]
George Washington Surviving Exectr of Thos Colville decd
vs Thos West Exectr, Devisee & heir at Law of Jno. West Junr decd who was one of the Executors of Thos Colville & the nearest relations of Catharine Colville mother of the said Thos Colville of the names of Stot, Will, Richardson & Smith or their decendants.
The Publisher of the London Gazette or some other person who can do it with propriety must make an affidavit before the Mayor or some magistrate that the order of the High Court of Chancery in this cause was inserted in the above Gazette for two months successively— the best way will be to Cut out from one of those papers The notice signed "Geo. Washington" & the order of the Court & annex it to the affidavit— the Affidavit will be authenticated in the manner such papers usually are in England. if the order should not have been published 2 months successively it should be immediately done.
B. Washington
ALS, NHi: Rufus King Papers.